Henry to Peoria

The first lock and dam on the Illinois River was constructed at Henry in 1870 at a cost of $400,000. The last lockage was in 1927. However, parts of it remaining place and it was where we tied up last night. The lock wall was transferred to the municipality in the 70s and has been operated as part of a marina for years. Neither the municipality or the previous lease holder have chosen to spend money on maintenance. Partially, due to its potential heritage status and I suspect partially due to economics. The town seems to have lost ground since the decommissioning of the lock. It is a pity as it is a very convenient stop for people travelling the river like we are.

The marina was almost a covid casualty until a local family of boaters decided to take it on. They have made great strides so far installing power and water on lock wall. Adding go-huts and fill to the top of the wall and breakwater. They also have a permit to maintain a depth of seven feet inside. This will allow more boats our size and bigger to be even more protected. Also the wall is a little rough and requires lots of fenders, chaff guards and the agility of a mountain goat. We wish them well.

The morning’s giggle was generated by a flock of Canada Geese bathing on a sand bar across the river from where we were tied up. I am not sure why I found it funny to see them bobbing and dunking, flapping their wings, ruffling their feathers and shaking their tails like little songbirds, but I did. They are normally so majestic and supercilious, it was too much of a contrast watching them bath and for a few moments see them disheveled and undignified. 

Another highlight of the day was seeing a “kettle” of birds gliding in circles above the river. A hundred or so were very high up and nary a wing beat to see. I thought at first it might be a kettle of raptors, bald eagles in fact, as we had been seeing quite a few. I was wrong as the binoculars quickly revealed. It was pelicans. Sorry no photos. They were too far away and too high up for my phone. I will have to dig the camera out.

We had a nice cruise with perfect weather. A light breeze and much more moderate temperatures 75 vs 95 degrees of the last few days. Upper Peoria Lake is similar to the River Styx north of Kingston. A narrow channel surround by a deceptively broad “lake” that is only a few feet deep.