St. Charles riverboat tour to explore the history of the Fox River and the dam
How would St. Charles change if its dam, located just north of the Main Street bridge, were removed?
This is the question that has been hotly debated since the fall of 2023, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, released a draft report recommending the removal of all low-head dams on the Fox River in Kane County.
The Army Corps and IDNR would pay for dam removal if a city agreed to have its dam removed.
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley is hosting a “Riverboat History Cruise” tour of the historic resources that could be impacted if the St. Charles dam is removed.
A change to the river may only impact a few, or none at all. The tour is designed to bring awareness to the vibrant history connected to the Fox River in St. Charles. Whether or not the dam should be removed will not be discussed.
The tour will explain how both well-known historic resources, such as the Hotel Baker and Municipal Center, are connected to the river, as well as some other sites that are less well-known, such as summer camp sites and cottages.
The Riverboat History Cruise will embark promptly at 6 p.m., rain or shine, on Wednesday, July 30, from Pottawatomie Park at 8 North Ave. in St. Charles.
The $60 ticket includes the 90-minute cruise, snacks from Geneva caterer Chi-Cuterie, drinks, and the history talk. This event is for adults, age 21 or older.
For tickets and additional information, visit ppfv.org/riverboat.