Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Sept. 30, 2008

Contact:  Lt. Mellor
(314) 269-2562

Coast Guard opens the Illinois River

ST. LOUIS - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Upper Mississippi River has re-opened the Illinois River to all recreational and commercial traffic.

Portions of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers had previously been closed or had restrictions to recreational vessels and some commercial traffic due to extreme high water conditions.

The Coast Guard works closely with industry partners, the Army Corps of Engineers, state and local officals under the Waterways Action Plan (WAP) to allow commerce to flow smoothly and for the safety of the public during times of high water. 

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