Illinois River Carriers Monitoring Potential For Ice

Those involved in commercial navigation on the Illinois River and its tributaries are watching closely for the formation of ice.

So far, major issues have not crept up, unlike in January 2024, but with another season of low water and temperatures now falling below freezing, industry leaders have begun regular videoconference calls with briefings by the National Weather Service.

Terry Bass, chairman of the Illinois River Carriers’ Association, said the calls are designed to help the industry respond more quickly if the river begins building ice.

“If and when it does happen, we’re all on the same page now,” he said.

Bass encourages communication between members, with emails and texts of occasional icing or potential trouble spots being shared among members so they can try to be more proactive and less reactive.

“Last year, old-timers were saying they hadn’t seen it that bad since the 70s,” Bass said. “The boats were breaking ice, and as fast as they could turn around, it was frozen again. I’m hoping we don’t see anything like that this year.”

One matter of concern is there hasn’t been much rainfall along the Illinois basin lately to add to flows.

“That little bit of extra water helps the ice move, and with that movement the ice doesn’t freeze as fast,” Bass said.

Additionally, planned closures later this month at locks at Lockport, Mile 291, and Brandon Road, Mile 285.9, could create their own problems.

“No traffic will be moving at Brandon Road or Lockport, so nobody will be breaking up the ice,” Bass said.

Mike Walsh with the Chicago Engineer District told the group that gates for the Lockport project were dropped off at nearby Dresden Lock and Dam on January 1 and that the closure was still expected to begin January 28.

“As of right now, everything’s on track and on schedule,” he said.

The work there is scheduled to continue through March 25. The purpose of the closure is for installation of new vertical lift gates and sill and seal modifications. The closure will inhibit traffic between the Illinois River and Chicago.

Industry is keeping a close eye on a few additional spots, including between Peoria Lake and Hennepin and between miles 250 and 231 from north of Marseilles Lock all the way to Starved Rock Lock. Those areas had some of the worst issues last year, Bass said.

While recent winter storm blasts over the past week or so have added to tensions, so far they have caused the most damage farther south, around St. Louis, Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati. However, Bass said, he has been keeping an eye on the water temperatures at all the locks on the Illinois River and noted that they are trending downward day by day. For example, he said, the water temperature at Starved Rock was 32 degrees, but with the air temperature 15, the air was cooling off the water.

No Immediate Forecast Changes Expected

Scott Lincoln, senior service hydrologist at the National Weather Service’s Chicago/Rockford office, said in a January 8 videoconference briefing with IRCA members that ice cover on the Illinois River basin increased compared to the previous week. Weather conditions remain favorable for slow river ice formation.

While weather conditions remain similar to past conditions when ice-related stoppages have occurred on the Illinois River, Lincoln said he believed the risk was more marginal for at least the next week as temperatures have not been as cold this year as during the last major freeze-ups, including in January 2024.

Typically, he said, the flow of the river inhibits major ice accumulation until the water temperature falls below 20 degrees. However, he noted that by the middle of the coming week, 90 percent of the river could fall below 20-degree water temperatures.

According to a forecast prepared January 7, both the 6-10-day and 8-14-day temperature outlooks forecast slightly colder temperatures than the average. A few models, “but only a few,” include a possibility of sharper temperature drops that could be more concerning for the possibility of faster ice accumulation, he said.

There is a chance of some rising river conditions the week of January 20, but that was considered a low-confidence forecast this far out, Lincoln said.

“This is a lot better than the discussion we were having last year,” Bass said.

Others on the call confirmed they were not seeing much ice buildup yet, although one area that had seen some icing was on the Calumet- Saganashkee, or Cal-Sag, Channel going up to T.J. O’Brien Lock in Chicago. Bass said icing in the channel was 1 ½ to 2 inches thick so far.

Also, Bass noted that the Peoria Lock had some problems with its bubbler and was expected to shut down for 10-12 hours on January 11 to make repairs, meaning the lack of traffic there could also add to icing concerns.

“The ice isn’t as bad in the locking systems yet,” Bass said, adding, “If we don’t have a heavy ice season, great. I’m not going to complain.”

Preparations/Precautions

Due to river conditions, ice couplings have been required on the Illinois since December 30.

“By now, everybody coming out of Chicago ought to already have ice couplings made,” Bass said.

He also stressed the importance of using a buddy system when deckhands go out on a tow. In addition, Bass recommended that deckhands try to walk down the center of the tow when possible instead of along the outside to decrease the possibility of any slips and falls resulting in someone going in the water.

Bass said it is also important to watch for trip hazards, which may be covered in snow, and to wrap lines in covers to keep them from freezing so that they can be used effectively in the locks or in fleeting areas.

If major icing does begin, Bass said in past years boats have had to move through reaches of the Illinois two by two so that if one boat got in trouble, the other could help break it out of the ice.

Bass noted that the cold, icy weather is not only difficult on people, but also hard on equipment, which can lead to failures and breakdowns.