Economic Development of the Lower Kaskaskia River

Economic Development of the Lower Kaskaskia River. . , From the 1940's to the Present-Day: The Kaskaskia River Project , Several Floods in the 1940's and lack of rural economic development in the region prompted many communities and regional leaders to organize to solicit the state and Federal government to resolve water resource issues and develop potential economic improvements associated with the Kaskaskia River. , Kaskaskia Industrial Development Corporation , One lead organization focused on lower river early 1960's was the Kaskaskia Industrial Development Corporation (KIDC). Through their efforts working with local communities, counties, state and Federal agencies, the Kaskaskia River Navigation Project was promoted and authorized in 1962 for design and construction as a Federal and state cost shared water resource project for regional economic development. , Project Construction and Operation , The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Illinois Department of Transportation designed and constructed the project. USACE is responsible for operation and maintenance of the completed navigation project. The Kaskaskia River Project became operational in 1974. , Kaskaskia Regional Port District , In 1965 the state of Illinois authorized and chartered the formation of the quasi-state agency, the Kaskaskia Regional Port District (KRPD), to develop river ports and economic development on the lover 36 of the channelized river with lock and dam connection to the Mississippi River to transport commodities into and out of the region., River Management Partners

. Today the KRPD develops and manages 5 river port facilities and supports numerous businesses on the river. , . The Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages approximately 20.000 acres of public lands and waters on the lower Kaskaskia River for fish and wildlife and outdoor recreation. , . USACE operates the 36-mile navigable channel, lock and dam, and outdoor recreation and fish and wildlife management areas, including the Kaskaskia River Recreation Area at the lock and dam area, providing a campground, boat launch ramps and the Confluence trail and overlook where the Kaskaskia and Mississippi River meet.

, Lock and Dam Named for U.S. Congressman Jerry F. Costello , On June 10, 2014, the Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam was officially renamed the Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam to honor longtime Congressman Jerry Costello and his tremendous efforts and leadership to improve and sustain the Kaskaskia River Project's viability and numerous benefits for the region and the nation., Illinois' First Road: , The K-C Trail is a 60-mile corridor running through Randolph, Monroe and St. Clair Counties. The trail dates back to use by Native American civilizations as long ago as 11,000 BC. It played an integral part in French Colonization, and remained a main road through the founding of Illinois as a state. It remains a highly trafficked route in the Metro East St. Louis Region.