Illinois River Locks Out Vessels From Valley City To Havana

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Friday it had closed the Illinois River from Valley City to Havana, Illinois, due to rapid changes in river stages, current flow and ice movement. The river is a major channel for grain flowing to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and into export markets.

The changes in water flow were a result from an emergency closure of the LaGrange Lock and Dam, which was filled with ice, they said.

As of Friday morning, river officials were unsure how long the river would be closed, from mile marker 60 near Valley City to mile marker 119 near Havana.