QC rivers cause concern into holiday weekend
There are safety concerns regarding rivers in the QCA as we roll into the holiday weekend.
On the Rock River, issues with two dams that provide electricity to the Sears Hydroelectric Plant in Rock Island have been brought up. Our Quad Cities News checked it out in person and saw boat barrier buoys are missing at Sears and nearby steel dams. Cases of deaths in that area prompted questions about who is in charge of putting up the barriers. Our Quad Cities News learned it’s the City of Rock Island’s responsibility.
We contacted the public works director about the missing barriers and were told the city’s contract with the Sears Hydroelectric Plant to maintain both dams ended in 2021 and that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is now responsible. Our Quad Cities News contacted the Department of Natural Resources but haven’t gotten a response.
Another concern involves the Wapsipinicon River. The National Weather Service says it’s rising and will reach 12.7 feet by Tuesday, May 28, which is considered at major flood stage. Water affects homes along the river on Highway 61 and between Wheatland and Calamus at that level.
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