July 24, 2015
NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard has reopened the majority of the Illinois River to recreational vessel traffic, with one portion remaining closed, today.
The span from mile marker 50, five miles south of Florence, Illinois, to mile marker 101.9, five miles north of Browning, Illinois, will remain closed until further notice.
The river was closed due to high water levels and was deemed unsafe on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Although the majority of river has been reopened, the Coast Guard urges mariners to continue to exercise extreme caution when operating on the river due to large debris and swift currents.