Revamped Waterway Visitors Center

When the Illinois River floods at Starved Rock, the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center should be relatively unaffected. Gary Shea is lead ranger at the Center located two miles east of Route 178 at Utica. Shea said a new addition that is well above flood stage will now contain offices and the auditorium. Shea says new exhibits are in place and the center will likely host more “Bald Eagle” programs next February. Offices and the auditorium were previously in the basement. In the past, Shea said, flooding would fill the basement, upwards of three times a year, forcing the the center to close for cleaning.