Marseilles Dam Is Structurally Sound After Seven Barges Broke Loose Near The Dam

MARSEILLES, Ill. — A Unified Command of U.S. Coast Guard and the Ingram Barge Company representatives announced Saturday that the Marseilles Dam is structurally sound after seven barges broke loose near the dam.

On Friday night the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, providing technical assistance to the Unified Command, completed an evaluation of the dam and determined it to be structurally sound.

The Main Street Bridge in Marseilles, located about 400 feet downstream of the dam, was reopened Saturday at 10:45 a.m. after flood waters began to recede and the access road to the bridge was cleared.

Salvage of the barges is delayed by the continuing high flood waters and heavy river currents.

“Once the river waters recede and a timeframe is established, we will notify the public and maritime interests of upcoming salvage operations,” said Cmdr. Jason Neubauer, Coast Guard Incident Commander for the Marseilles Barge Incident. “Safety of the personnel and timely reopening of the waterway will be our main priorities during salvage operations.”

Marine investigators from Marine Safety Unit Chicago continue to investigate the incident, which occurred Thursday night. The UTV Dale A. Heller was downbound on the Illinois River, approaching the entrance to the Marseilles Lock canal, when strong river currents redirected the tow toward the dam. No injuries or pollution have been reported and four of the seven cargo barges are partially submerged at the dam.

Original Story-MARSEILLES, Ill. — The Coast Guard is investigating a marine casualty that occurred Thursday evening on the Illinois River at the Marseilles Dam.

Marine investigators from Marine Safety Unit Chicago responded to a report that the motor vessel Dale A. Heller, a 128-foot towing vessel, lost control of its tow due to strong river currents from Thursday’s heavy rainfall. Seven of the Dale A. Heller's 14 barges subsequently broke free and came to rest against the Marseilles Dam.

No injuries or pollution have been reported, although minor damage has been reported to the Marseilles Dam and three cargo barges are partially submerged at the dam.

Currently there are no reports of breaches in the dam or surrounding levees as a result of the incident. Flood water is at a record high on the Illinois River and water is flowing over surrounding levees.

The Dale A. Heller was down bound on the Illinois River approaching the entrance to the Marseilles Lock canal when strong river currents pushed the tow toward the dam. The captain of the towing vessel did not report any damage to his vessel from the incident.

The Marseilles Police Department shut down the Main Street Bridge, located directly downstream of the Marseilles Dam, as a safety precaution in case the barges pass through the dam.

Marine Safety Unit Chicago Marine investigators are on scene conducting interviews and ensuring drug and alcohol tests are conducted on all involved personnel. A unified command is being established at the La Quinta Inn in Peru, Ill. to oversee salvage operations and ensure public safety in the vicinity of the dam. The Unified Command will be made up of members from the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Marseilles Police Department, and the responsible party.