Rain means no more walking to Tower Rock

Tuesday's rain was welcomed by drought-stricken farmers and firemen, but it will soon end the fun for folks who've been walking across the Mississippi River to Tower Rock.

About an inch of rain across our region and up to 3 inches further upstream will provide much needed runoff that will allow river barges to travel more freely with heavier cargoes.

But the National Weather Service's river forecast at the Chester, IL gauge calls for a 3.5-foot rise on the river by Friday. That should be more than enough to once again submerge the stone pathway that thousands of curiosity seekers have used for weeks to venture out to the massive landmark in the middle of the Mississippi.

Wednesday morning's gauge reading of 1.65 feet at Chester was already about a foot higher than the river level that made for easy access by foot to Tower Rock.

The Missouri Department of Conservation posted a warning on their Facebook page on Tuesday to be very careful of river currents, even at low river levels.



(Photo Missouri Dept. of Conservation Facebook page)