Illinois / Mississippi River /
John Hay Boat Ramp
Boat ramp · on Mississippi River · near Shepherd · Illinois
Zebra mussels (latest report 2009) reported in Mississippi River 570 m from this launch (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database). Clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer and gear before you leave, and do not move water, plants or live bait to another water.
USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database · checked October 18, 2026
Open per U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation area status's data, checked October 7, 2026. Seasonal gates, low water and storms are not always posted; check before you tow.
At the launch
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Motors
- No horsepower limit
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Managed by
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Coordinates
- 39.71867, -91.35276
Channel depths in feet from the Army Corps' surveys (Rock Island District; the one nearest this launch is of July 9, 2024). Not for navigation.
Boating rules
- Horsepower limit: none · all of Mississippi River rule
From the boating rules map of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, read October 18, 2026. A map of rules is a guide: the regulation's text and the posted signs govern.
Conditions
- Weather forecast for this launch · National Weather Service
On the river
River mile 309.2 on Mississippi River · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Mile Markers, placed between its mile markers
Sources: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Mile Markers.
Channel survey
The Army Corps surveys the channels it maintains and posts every survey.
- Upper Mississippi River Pool 22
Hydrographic survey of July 9, 2024 by the Rock Island District. Soundings on the sheet down to 40.6 ft below the pool's low control level, with bars at or above it; the Corps maintains a 9 ft channel here. Survey sheet (PDF)
US Army Corps of Engineers hydrographic surveys, from eHydro. A survey shows the bottom on the day it was made; channels shoal after high water and change with dredging. Not for navigation.
On Mississippi River
River in Illinois. All launches on Mississippi River.
Community
Where people who use Mississippi River talk about it.
Nearby launches
- Indian Camp Access · 7.5 mi · Salt River
- Lock And Dam 22 Boat Ramp · 8.1 mi · Lock Canal 22
- Fabius Chute Access · 11.1 mi · Eastern Slough
- (Akerson Access) Palmyra · 11.9 mi · North River
- Cincinnati Landing Access Area Boat Ramp · 12.6 mi · Mississippi River
- Soulard Access · 13.8 mi · Fabius River
Sources
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat ramps (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory) record 249-287881-7-001 · US federal government data, public domain (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submittal)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation area status open or closed status · US federal government data, public domain (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resource Management Program)
Why it is listed as public: listed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat ramps (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory). Something wrong, or is this launch private? Send a correction; it goes to a person.