Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

We are heading to the river this coming weekend. Thought I'd throw out some info on here about the Alton pool as locals call it.

For some that may have no idea about the area: This is the busiest pool of the river in the area. There is virtually no recreational traffic south of Alton through St. Louis. So local boaters from the St. Louis metro area use the Alton pool. The pool runs from Alton Mel Price lock and dam up to Winfield lock and dam 25. UMR miles 201 - 241. Also you have part Illinois River also. From the split at Grafton the Illinois runs north up to its first lock at LaGrange mile marker 80 on the Illinois river. That makes for 120 miles total of river exploration without lock interference.

We are launching at Kampsville on the Illinois river at mile marker 32, which is about straight due west of my house. From there we will head down to Grafton area run around on the Mississippi. We have a slip rented at Grafton Harbor marina for the night and are staying at a local winery in town.

We are taking my buddies new Suntracker Regency 22' tritoon with a 115. We have made this trip before but it was just a day trip back when we had 18' runabouts. Figured the slower travel time with the toon, we made a two day trip out of it.

For river virgins, (we were this our first trip) the river is a whole other animal. Not to scare anyone, but a whole lot different than lake boating. I would recommend educating yourself about the river first.

Things to think about:

Barge traffic

Lock and dams

River levels

Rock Dikes!!!!!!!! The Illinois has very few, if any, BUT the Mississippi has several rock dikes put in the river to keep the river flowing the correct way. Sometimes theses are very deep and you can go over, but sometimes they are just below the surface. Very important to study the charts (you can download from http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/ ... River.aspx).

Luckily our first trip down there back in 2004, we didn't venture out on the Mississippi much. It was after that trip that I started researching the river more. But I think it is all well worth it. I like the exploring aspect of the river.

Yes, big river boating a different animal than lake boating. And Mississippi River in a league of its own. Used to sail a big boat at Alton pool and north. Great, beautiful ride. You'll love it. Stay out of the barge lane. If you're dead in the water and you see a barge coming down river, swim like hell. They can't stop in time. Takes 'em a mile to stop.

Have a great time, and definitely get those Nav charts.

First time we went down there, I was nervous as hell about barge traffic. Until you meet or overtake your first one, you will be nervous, after that you learn just give them plenty of room. And don't stop in the channel for anything, like you said, barges are like a freight train and can't stop.

I do have a hand held marine radio for emergency's also, you just never know.

You know the drill....

Mosnowman wrote:You know the drill....

Yea yea, I know the drill. I'll be a passenger, so I have no excuses.

Hope you get to see some of the bald-headed eagles around Grafton. I'm sure you've docked at Marquette State Park, just north of Grafton? Fabulous buffet on Sundays! Pics yes, reminds me of ol' home week!

Had a great trip! I'll post pics tonight when I get home.

Every aspect of the trip was great.

Launched in Kampsville around 11:30, Sat morning. Headed down about 10 miles south to Hardin where we docked up at Mel's Riverdock restaurant. Had some good catfish fritters there.

From there, headed down past Grafton, up the Mississippi a couple miles into the Dardeen Slough to the Boathouse for a one man band playing on the deck. Had a bucket of beers there. By then it was time to head to Grafton to get checked in.

Arrived at Grafton Harbor Marina, we got put in a 14x35' covered slip between a bunch of cruisers. We had a few funny looks. Called the Aries winery where we rented a villa (Condo) for a ride. Spent the rest of the night bar hopping in Grafton.

Sunday we checked out and Aries gave us a ride down to the boat to drop off luggage and then took us down the road for some breakfast. They were great to work with. Then we cruised down the Mississippi towards Alton maybe 5 miles to check of the bluffs. Then headed back up the Illinois river for home.

Here's some pics:

Few more

more

Looks like a great time! Great photos.

Thanks for the photos its always nice to see the world though other peoples eyes, looks like a good time was had by all.

Great pics, what a good time!!! Weather looked perfect. Thanks for posting, very enjoyable!

About the Rock Dikes... it always amazes me that they don't mark those kinds of hazards.

On the chain of lakes I'm on there's a channel between two lakes that's about 20 yards wide. For over 20 years there was a fallen tree and stump barely under the water on one side. People would waterski thru the channel all day long and I'm amazed nobody was killed. This was beyond dangerous but because the DNR is all about "keeping it real" they never marked it!

Don't get me wrond, I'm all for letting nature take it's course and not clear cutting or clearing...but not when it's dangerous.