News

Waiting for Spring

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Sat, 02/18/2012 - 01:07

We're waiting ... we're waiting ... we're waiting ... Is it Spring yet?

Two more months and counting!

In case you haven't been to the marina lately, here are some photos from Domenic Pacenti to show you what it looks like during a winter without much snow and ice.

Separate the River from Lake Michigan?

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 21:04

Contemplating a cruise to from the river to Lake Michigan this summer? Thinking about taking the Great Loop cruise some day? Perhaps you should plan that cruise sooner than later, because big changes could be coming in a few years. A study by the Great Lakes Commission concludes that Lake Michigan should be physically separated from the river system in order to prevent the spread of invasive species such as Asian Carp. 

According to the report, more than 250 non-native species have already crossed between the Great Lakes and the river system, and the Army Corps has a list of 39 more species

Stay Between the Red and Green, Captain

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Sun, 02/05/2012 - 00:07

A large commercial freighter missed the correct channel when piloting under a major highway bridge over Kentucky Lake on January 26th. The ship, the 312-foot Delta Mariner, ripped out a section of the roadway and ended up wearing part of the bridge across its bow. The vessel was carrying Atlas rocket parts for NASA, bound for Cape Canaveral.

See TV coverage here.

Since then, dive teams and sonar-equipped boats have been inspecting the piers used to support the bridge, as a prelude to making a repair plan.

Half Way

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 21:21

If you figure that the boating season runs from roughly mid-April to mid-October, then my friends, we are half way there. 3 months down and 3 months left to go. Winter has only just arrived in the last week, so that's made the first half of the off-season a lot more tolerable than most years.

What's your secret for getting through it? Planning a warm-weather get-away? Looking forward to improvement projects at the boat in 2012? Reliving last season in pictures? Hiding under the blankets?

Fire at Spring Brook Marina

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 13:04

According to news reports, a fire started in the early morning hours at Spring Brook Marina, near Seneca. At least 16 boats have burned. This comes at a time when much of Spring Brook's team must already be exhausted from preparations for the Chicago Boat Show this weekend.

Tribune coverage

News-Trib coverage

Video

A 300-acre open pit sand mine, right across the river?

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 02:01

The LaSalle County Board will make a final decision on a proposal to build an open pit sand mine on the eastern boundary of Starved Rock State Park on January 12th. The controversial mining operation would put more than 100 heavy trucks per day on Route 71, and would require draining a 73-acre wetland.

Fly Over the Water with JetLev

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Wed, 12/21/2011 - 18:12

Will we be seeing this on the river some day?

Eagles Rescued, then Released at Starved Rock

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 02:39

Two young eagles, rescued six months earlier and raised in wildlife shelter, were released at Plum Island in late November.

The Latest on Asian Carp

Submitted by Jack Dare
on Wed, 12/07/2011 - 00:50

The Army Corps of Engineers recently announced changes to one of the electronic Asian carp barriers along the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The power levels have been increased, hoping that the invasive critters that we hear sucking on our boat hulls won't find their way into Lake Michigan.