Old Shawneetown Boat Ramp

Old Shawneetown offers newly renovated public boat access on the Ohio River in southern Illinois near Shawneetown, Gallatin County. The facility features a modern boat launch ramp with improved parking and infrastructure, completed with elevated lower ramp sections and jetties designed to manage siltation. This access point is particularly valuable for paddlers and boaters on the Illinois side of the river, as it provides immediate launch access that was unavailable for over 15 years.

The Ohio River at this location is a major waterway with significant flow and current. Expect an average water velocity of 7 feet per second and average flows exceeding 300,000 cubic feet per second. The river has a gentle gradient of approximately 0.4 feet per mile in this section. Paddlers and boaters should be prepared for the substantial current and consider their skill level accordingly when planning trips. The nearest major navigation lock and dam is John T. Myers Lock and Dam, located approximately 3 miles downstream.

This ramp serves recreational paddlers, motorboats, and rescue vessels. The facility enhancement makes it an important regional access point for Ohio River recreation and emergency response operations in the area.