Watch eagles on the Mississippi

Dear Readers,

Ready for a family outing? Why not take a trip to Clarksville, Mo., where you can view eagles flying over the Mississippi River.

Clarksville is located northwest of St. Louis on Highway 79. To get there you go to St. Louis and then head west on Interstate 70. At the 220 mile marker you turn right and follow the road. Highway 79 runs to Hannibal and is a very scenic road. Often you can see the Mississippi River and along the way there are a number of scenic look outs.

Clarksville is about half way to Hannibal. It is right next to lock and dam 24 on the river. There is a wooden platform where you can stand and see the eagles during parts of the year.

Clarksville is a small town but there are some restaurants there. However, you might want to take a cooler with drinks and snacks.

The following is information about general eagle-viewing opportunities.

As the cold winter howls through the northern United States and Canada, rivers and lakes freeze over, forcing the American Bald Eagle to move south to find open water for fishing. After periods of below freezing temperatures and ice forms on the Mississippi River, eagles can be easily found congregating around the locks and dams, where the churning water below the dam keeps the water open.

Places to view eagles are Lock & Dam 24 in Clarksville, Lock & Dam 25 in Winfield, National Great Rivers Museum and Melvin Price Locks & Dam, Alton, Ill., Lock 27 (Chain of Rocks Canal) in Granite City, Ill., and Rivers Project Office, West Alton, Mo.

Send your suggestions or ideas to Bill Coomer at P.O. Box 699; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or e-mail him at bcoomer@semissourian.com.