Missouri River Flooding

I know that you share my concern for the people in western Iowa who are facing an unimaginable crisis in the wake of the Missouri River flooding. Images of flood preparations in Iowa communities are making headlines in the local and national media, as our Iowa neighbors battle to hold the waters back. Unfortunately, the national attention to the flooding may lead some people to believe that the entire state is under water and therefore not accessible to visitors.

Please click on the link below to read a special message from Gov. Branstad


http://email.integermidwest.com/ided/idedim11005/

Autumn Colors

What better place to view the spectactular fall colors than from the deck of the TWILIGHT? The trees are starting to turn and we have limited availability for the rest of the season.

No worries about the higher-than-average fall river levels. We are cruising as normal.

See you on the river!
Captain Kevin
www.riverboattwilight.com

Distinguished guest

I was fortunate enough to have Lord Faulkner of Worcester ride the Twilight last week. He spent alot of time in the Pilot house with me. Appointed to the House of Lords in 1999, Lord Faulkner of Worcester was appointed a Lord in Waiting in the Whips' Office in June 2009. His responsibilities cover transport issues, Wales and climate change. He was very interesting and charming to have met. I look forward to continuing our conversations via e-mail.

http://www.lordfaulkner.net/

B & B Riverboats

Just heard our good friend Alan Bernstein interviewed on the popular NPR broadcast of "What do you Know". Congratulations Alan! You sounded great. Check out the podcast here: http://www.notmuch.com/

Visit Alan's boats here: http://www.bbriverboats.com/

Clinton Showboat

The City of Clinton, Iowa, purchased the showboat “Rhododendron” from the state of West Virginia on September 15, 1966 at a public bid price of $21,165. A week later, she began her 1,600 mile journey from Morgantown, WV. She was towed down the Monongahela River to Pittsburgh, on the Ohio to Cairo, IL, then up the Mississippi River to her new home. She was moored at Riverfront Park, entertaining the public with plays in the summertime and providing an appropriate focal point for the handsome park.

In 1975, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers began a major flood control project along the city’s waterfront, and the showboat took a five-year vacation. When the attractive, protective dike was completed in 1980, she made her second Clinton debut and was rechristened “City of Clinton”

The “City of Clinton” is now permanently located atop the dike. Here she is protected from the ravages of the winter river and was easily accessible to the public for tours and plays. She received a sparkling white new exterior in 1980 and enjoyed interior refurbishing as well. Visible from the river, the park, Riverfront Drive, and the Gateway Bridge, she welcomes visitors and is a proud landmark for Clintonians.

For more information visit www.summer-stock.org

See you on the river!

Captain Kevin

www.riverboattwilight.com

Railroad Bridge

This railroad bridge at Clinton IA was built for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for their mainline between Chicago and Omaha. The original bridge at this location was the second bridge to cross the Mississippi River. It was involved in several litigation's from steamboat operators. The third such lawsuit was conclusively settled in favor of the railroads, ending the war between the bridge operators and steamboat operators. That did not, however, erase the fact that the narrow swing span of the original bridge probably was a navigation hazard.

The bridge that we see today was built in 1909. It is a brute of a bridge and it contains a lot of steel. It has to, since it serves as one of the most heavily used Union Pacific Railroad mainlines. It takes a pounding from over 50 trains per day. Interestingly enough, no two spans of this bridge look alike.


Location - Mississippi River Mile 518.0
Railroad - Union Pacific
Daily traffic count - est 50 trains per day
Bridge type - Steel through truss with wing span
Length - 890 feet overall, 460 wing span
Width - Double track
Navigation channel width - 178 feet
Height above water - 19 feet
Date built - 1909

* Thank you to http://www.johnweeks.com/ for the above information.

New camera

I bought myself a new camera late last year and am learning how to use it. What do you think of these pictures? I used the "sport" setting on the Pelican in flight to freeze the motion.

See you on the river!

Captain Kevin

http://www.riverboattwilight.com/