Lock and Dam No. 21

Lock and Dam No. 21 provides direct access to the Mississippi River near Quincy, Illinois, offering paddlers and boaters entry to one of North America's most significant waterways. This major access point serves as a gateway to Navigation Pools 22 and 24, with nearby fishing opportunities in the Beebe Island Chutes and Sny Slough areas along the Illinois shore. The site also provides convenient access for those exploring the Great River National Wildlife Refuge in the region.

Paddlers and boaters should be prepared for the mighty Mississippi's substantial character: this is a major river (Stream Order 10) with an average flow of over 685,000 cubic feet per second and average velocities around 11 feet per second. The river here is wide and deep, accommodating commercial barge traffic. Navigation pools upstream and downstream offer diverse paddling opportunities, from open water exploration to quieter slough and backwater areas. Be aware of lock and dam operations and commercial traffic when planning your outing. The relatively gentle average gradient of 0.8 feet per mile makes most sections of the Mississippi navigable for various watercraft types.