Signs winter has taken hold on the Illinois River: Frozen waters, bald eagles

During the recent cold snap, the Illinois River was frozen in portions between Ottawa and La Salle.

A brief thaw is expected Thursday and Friday before colder air makes its way back into the region, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. Wind chills are predicted to dip below zero by Sunday with high temperatures in the teens or in single digits.

Bald eagles don’t mind the freeze, however, especially near the Starved Rock Lock and Dam, which remains open for them to catch fish. Starved Rock State Park will celebrate its Bald Eagle Weekend on Jan. 27-28 with a number of activities geared to the majestic birds that call the river home.