MODOC, Ill.— The Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam on the Kaskaskia River will be closed again for maintenance. This time it be for the upstream miter gates from August 1, 2025, with an anticipated reopening date of September 30, 2025. During this time frame the Lock chamber will be closed to all traffic including industry and recreational vessels. Several repairs to the Lock will be ongoing throughout this timeframe to help ensure a more reliable experience for all our users in the future.
The upstream miter gates are scheduled to be dewatered,removed, and inspected at the beginning of August. The severity of damage to the gates will determine how much will need to be repaired. This inspection will ultimately determine the length of the closure, but again it is not expected to continue past September 30, 2025.
While the Lock is closed, our annual dredging around the mouth of the Kaskaskia River and lower end of the Lock chamber will be scheduled to minimize effects on river traffic. This will prevent a partial closures or interference that might occur with dredge equipment if the Lock was open.
The lower guide wall will not be in place during this entire period and will not be available to transient, “Loopers” or other vessels.These vessels must make other arrangements for anchorageduring this time frame.
The upstream boat ramp should only be affected by the presence of the contractor’s equipment in the parking lot, but will remain available for upstream river access. If the Mississippi River stays above 10 feet at the Chester River Guage, the lower boat ramp will remain open for access. However, if the river falls out or the ramp is inaccessible due to silt then it will have to be closed. The Project Visitor Center will be open daily from 8-4. Again, parking may be more congested than usual due to the staging of equipment for work listed above.
The Kaskaskia River Project appreciates your understanding as we work to ensure future reliability of the Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam.
For more information contact the Kaskaskia River Project Office at (618) 284-7160 or e-mail us at KaskyL&D@usace.army.mil.