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Path to Tower Rock opens again as Mississippi River levels fall

In the fall of 2022, it was a regional sensation when hundreds of people were able to literally walk across the Mississippi River to Tower Rock near Chester in southern Illinois for the first time in years..Grandchildren were being taken on the hike by grandparents who had only had one or two opportunities for the trip over the decades themselves.

The uniqueness has worn off a bit now that the river has receded for the fourth year in a row.

The rocky path to the island emerges when the river level falls to a depth of 1.5 feet on the Chester gauge. That gauge, earlier at 3 feet on Sunday, dipped below 1.5 feet on Tuesday, and as low as 0.9 feet on Wednesday before rising slightly on Thursday.

The natural landmark is usually surrounded by water hundreds of feet from the Missouri riverbank. As recently as August, the Mississippi was flowing at more than 25 feet. Even at that depth, Tower Rock still soars 60 feet above the water with its sheer stone cliffs.

The overall Tower Rock Natural Area on the Missouri shore spans 32 acres. Walking to Tower Rock is permitted, but the Missouri Department of Conservation asks visitors to be respectful of the landmark and neighboring land. Climbing the steep rock faces is not allowed.

In some years, the dry path remained visible for many days. Runoff from steady rain this weekend may cause the river to rise a few feet and obscure the path once again.


(AP Photo by Jeff Roberson in 2022)
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