Construction on the Chain of Rocks Pump Station

Seven grueling hours in the sun, 32 trucks of material, and 265-cubic yards of concrete marked the start of construction on the Chain of Rocks Pump Station April 18 along the Chain of Rocks Levee near Granite City, Ill.

The pump station is one feature of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District’s project to correct design deficiencies and provide the Chain of Rocks levee with the authorized level of protection of 54-feet on the St. Louis gage.

Located in Madison County, the federally owned and operated levee is one segment of the Metro East Sanitary District Levee System.

The construction of the pump station marks another milestone in the completion of the Corps’ project to reduce risk to those living and working in the Metro East.

The project includes the construction of North and South seepage berms, as well as 37 relief wells.

Project features became necessary after the 1993 flood when sand boils developed along large portions of the levee. Sand boils form when water traveling under the levee carries with it sediments necessary for the longevity and stability of the levee.

This project highlights the Corps’ commitment to reduce risk to the more than 250,000 residents and workers, and $4.5 billion in property assets behind the Metro East Sanitary District Levee System.

In total, the Corps has allocated more than $45.8M in construction to the Chain of Rocks Levee.

Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities Results

A hunter prepares to fire his rifle from his wheelchair
during a deer hunt for people with disabilities at
Lake Shelbyville.

The 22nd Annual Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis Distict and Wolf Creek State Park, was held November 18, 19 & 20, 2011.  Numerous sponsors, partners and volunteers helped make the event another successful hunt at Lake Shelbyville. 

Twenty-five hunters harvested twenty deer, fourteen hunters took at least one deer each and six hunters took two each.  The event provided a high quality recreational experience for those members of the outdoor community faced with disabilities.  It also served as a management tool to keep deer populations at appropriate levels to limit disease, deer-automobile collisions and crop and vegetation damage. 

Trophies, donated by D to Z Sports in Mattoon, were awarded for the first deer, largest buck, largest doe and smallest deer.  A grant from the National Rifle Association and donations from the Lake Volunteers Association and Lithia Springs Marina made it possible to provide meals, drinks and other supplies needed for the three day hunting event.   

The hard work of dedicated volunteers performing a wide variety of tasks made the event successful.  Volunteers took hunters to and from the blinds, carried the hunter's gear, retrieved and cleaned harvested deer, and made sure meals were served.  The volunteers donated a total of 566 hours of service over the three day period. 

To obtain more information about volunteering or participating in next year’s hunt contact Park Ranger Brock Key at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office, R.R. 4, Box 128B, Shelbyville, IL 62565, (217) 774-3951 Ext. 7008 or Jonathon.B.Key@usace.army.mil.