Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Sept. 17, 2008

Contact:  Lt. Chuck Mellor
(314) 269-2562 or
(618) 580-2998

UPDATE: Coast Guard closes portions of the Upper Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri rivers

ST. LOUIS - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Upper Mississippi River has closed the following sections of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers to all recreational vessel traffic with the following restrictions:

•  The Upper Mississippi River is closed from Claryville, Mo., mile marker 109.9 to 185.4.
•  The Missouri River is closed from Waverly, Mo. mile marker 0 to the mouth of the Missouri River at mile marker 300.
• The Illinois River is closed from Grafton, Ill., mile marker 0.0 to 9.9 and from mile marker 129, near Liverpool, Ill. to mile marker 199.9.

The COTP Upper Mississippi River has opened the Upper Mississippi River at mile 273.4, near Clarksville, Mo., to mile marker 301.1 to all recreational vessel traffic.

Local and state law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce all of the above zones that are restricted to recreational traffic.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.