Rock Talk

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Chain of Rocks Gravel Bar Collecting

A favorite local collecting spot is the gravel bar on the Mississippi River near the old Chain of Rocks bridge.  See the below map for directions to the location.  Take Chain of Rocks Road west from Route 3 until you get to the Chouteau Island Fishing Area at the river's edge.  A large gravel bar is exposed at this location when the Mississippi River is below 10' as reported at the St. Louis river gauge.  All sorts of things have been found:  agates, petrified wood, Pleistocene fossils, and a wide variety of colorful stones.  If you can spray water on the gravel as you hunt it will highlight the beautiful colors.  Good luck collecting and be respectful of others that may be in the area.