Mile 158.0 - Miles 158-149: LBD Foster/Meissner Island Dikes

158 -149 LBD Foster/Meissner Island Dikes

Foster Island is no longer an island these days except at flood stage, having been silted in by the whims of the river and vigorous channel maintenance by man. There are about ten miles of stubby dikes placed along the shore about every half mile. At low water you will find your own personal pile of sand behind each one with a deep pool of water at the riverbank for your morning swim. At medium water the choices are more limited, but if it’s that time of day you can stop just about anywhere and find a strip of sand, close firewood and good shelter. At high water (above 25SLG) all sand disappears, but forest campsites remain. The only downside is the hazy orange light in the sky and muted roaring of I-55, Crystal City, Festus and Herculaneum, which have all become thriving bedroom communities for the big city to the north.