Leaders in Hamilton, Illinois say ongoing sediment buildup tied to Keokuk’s Lock and Dam No. 19 is creating serious problems for the city’s drinking water system and limiting river access.
According to city officials, sediment collecting along the Illinois side of the river has become so severe that the city’s water treatment plant is periodically forced to shut down because the incoming water becomes too muddy to process.
Hamilton operates one water intake above the dam and another below it, but officials say the upper intake is frequently unusable because of sediment accumulation. At times, both intakes must be shut down entirely.
They argue Ameren Missouri should take responsibility for dredging areas it owns along the river near Hamilton’s harbor and are asking to keep part of the dam open more consistently on the Illinois side could help reduce future sediment buildup and improve access to cleaner, flowing water.
