Photo by Mike Brothers
Andy White of Hydro Gear attended sedimentation discussion with Congressman John Shimkus Aug. 27 at the North End Grill. The following day Shimkus announced he is retiring from Congress.

•September 4, 2019•
By Sed E. Ment
for the News Progress

How long will boats be able to navigate the Sullivan Marina?
That was the unanswered question at a meeting concerning sedimentation filling the north end of Lake Shelbyville.
It was attended by U.S. Congressman John Shimkus, the U.S. Corp of Engineers and about 25 concerned local citizens at the North End Grill at Sullivan Marina Aug. 27.
John Fayhee, who operates the marina, explained to the congressman and Corp representatives the marina level reaches four feet during the lake draw down.
“Docks require five feet of water,” he emphasized, noting the marina would not be in business if the lake fills to three feet.
U.S. Corp engineer Eddie Brauer reported the Kaskaskia River sedimentation from farmland runoff aggravates the issue for the north end of Lake Shelbyville with the affects showing up at the marina.
He explained the rate of sedimentation is affected by variables ranging from the amount of rainfall to the degree farmers engage in soil and water conservation measures. “There is no self-sustaining cost effective fix,” Brauer said, discussing various options to slow the rate of sedimentation.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.