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ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Friday, September 11th, 2026

  • Upper Miss Closeout – ACBL has sent out our annual guidance for final release dates to the Upper Miss and final departure dates off of this river. Click here for our full guidance.
  • Effective September 5, 2026, ACBL has implemented our Low Water Protocol due to the Memphis gauge reaching 0.0′. In accordance with contract terms, applicable low water surcharges will be assessed. We appreciate your understanding and continued partnership. Please contact your ACBL representative with any questions.
  • Lower Miss Operational Impact –
    • Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
      • Loading drafts are not currently reduced NBD Gulf to Cairo.
      • Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 13% (5 barges)
    • Normal Water Stages:
      • Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): 20′ – 5′
      • Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): 40′ – 20′
      • Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): 30′ – 10′
    • Low Water Stages:
      • Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): Below 5′
      • Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): Below 20′
      • Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): Below 10′
    • For current river stage information, please refer to the links at the bottom of this page.

  • Lock 25 (UM 241.40) – Lock will be closed daily from 0700 – 1900 on Monday to Saturday from August 19th to September 19th for repairs.
    • September 10th 05:30: Passed 4 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 18.0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 7 tow(s) waiting, averaging 16.9 hours of delay.
  • Upper Mississippi Channel Closure (UM 109.5) – The demolition of the “Old” Chester Bridge continues with the final blasting rescheduled for September 28th. The river closure will begin at 0600 September 28th and will remain closed for 48 hours after the demolition.

  • Brandon Road Lock Closure (IR 286.00) – Weekday (Monday-Friday) lock closures starting September 21st, 2026 through April 31st, 2028 from 0600 – 1800 for rock excavation in channel and wall construction at the lock approach area. UPDATE: The stop work order was lifted on September 2nd by the administration allowing construction activities to restart.
  • Beardstown Railroad Bridge (IR 88.8) – Due to maintenance, the bridge will remain in the closed to navigation position from 0800 September 15th to 1800 September 17th.  The bridge will open daily to allow passage of vessel traffic from 0600-0700 and 1800-1900.

  • J.P. Murtha Lock & Dam aka Lock 4 (MR 41.5) – Lock 4 will be closed to navigation on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 0600 to 1600 from August 3rd through October 1st. The locks will reopen for navigation on those days from 1600 to 0600 the following morning. 
  • Emsworth Lock Closures (OR 6.2) – Beginning April 27th thru Sept. 4th, the auxiliary chamber will be closed daily from 0600 to 2359, and the primary chamber will have intermittent closures for filling valve maintenance. Primary chamber tow restriction: max tow width of 78 feet.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 7 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 2.8 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tow(s) waiting, averaging 0.0 hours of delay.
  • Captain Anthony Meldahl Lock & Dam (OR 436.0) – Beginning August 24th, the main lock chamber will be closed for repairs. Work is expected to be completed on or about January 6, 2027. All traffic will use the auxiliary chamber during this time.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 9 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 5.3 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tow(s) waiting, averaging 0.0 hours of delay.
  • Madison Channel Closure (OR 556.5 – 559.5) – Channel closures on September 19th and 20th from 0800 – 1800 for the Madison Vintage Thunder Marine event. Event information can be found here: Vintage Thunder
  • Cannelton Lock Chamber Closure (OR 720.7) – Cannelton Auxiliary Chamber will be closed from August 31 through September 19 to upgrade lock controls and install an interlock system. All traffic will use the Main Chamber during this time.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 17 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 1.4 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tow(s) waiting, averaging 0.0 hours of delay.
  • Owensboro Channel Closure (OR 754 – 760) – Channel will be closed in the Owensboro area on the following dates for an Owensboro air show:
    • September 11th 0930-1600
    • September 12th 1200-1700
    • September 13th 1200-1700
  • Newburgh Lock Chamber Closure (OR 776.1) – Chambers will have intermittent closures from August 28 through October 08 for repairs to the hydraulic systems. One chamber will remain in service to pass traffic at all times.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 18 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 1.1 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tow(s) waiting, averaging 0.0 hours of delay.
  • Smithland Lock & Dam Closure (OR 918.5) – Smithland Locks & Dams will have a 12-week closure (6 weeks per chamber) to upgrade the lock controls, August 24th through November 16. The closure will start with the Land Chamber and once work is complete, the River Chamber will then be closed. During this time, one chamber will remain open to navigation traffic.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 12 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 2.1 hours of delay. LPMS shows 2 tow(s) waiting, averaging 2.43 hours of delay.
  • Olmsted Lock & Dam (OR 964.6) – The river chamber will be closed from October 3 through November 13 for a dewatering and repairs to the miter gates. All traffic will use the land chamber during this time.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 14 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 17.75 hours of delay. LPMS shows 13 tow(s) waiting, averaging 22.05 hours of delay.
  • Arkansas River Lock Closures (multiple locks) – Daily lock closures from 0700 – 1900 from June 15th through September 30th for work related to the 110-ft Stoplog Conversion project. These closures will occur at the following locations : Dardanelle Lock (No. 10) – AK 205.5, James W. Trimble Lock (No. 13) – AK 292.8, Murry Lock (No.7) – AK 125.4, Toad Suck Ferry Lock (No. 8) – AK155.9, Arthur V. Ormond Lock (No. 9) – AK 176.9, and Ozark Jetta-Taylor Lock (No. 12) – AK 256.9. Transit times will be substantially impacted.
  • Barkley Lock (CR 30.6) – Full lock closure August 10th thru September 30th to make repairs to the miter gates. Traffic may pass by taking the alternate route via Kentucky Lock and the Barkley Canal.
  • Kentucky Lock (TR 22.30) – Kentucky Lock will experience longer than normal delays due to the closure at Barkley Lock and damage to the upper guide wall caused by a recent allision. USACE has implemented new locking procedures that are expected to create additional delays. An assist boat will be required for all upbound and downbound lockages. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 8 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 140.7 hours of delay. LPMS shows 32 tow(s) waiting, averaging 60.7 hours of delay.
  • Glover Wilkins Lock Closure (TTW 376.3) – Scheduled 30-day closure to perform critical maintenance activities will occur from September 9th thru October 10th.
  • Thad Cochran Lock Closure (TTW 371.1) – Scheduled 30-day closure to perform critical maintenance activities will occur from September 10th thru October 10th.
  • Morley Railroad Bridge Closure (PA 56) – Morley Railroad Bridge will be closed from 1900 September 22 through 1900 September 23 to finalize the ongoing rehabilitation project.
  • Harvey Lock (LM 93) – Harvey Lock is closed to marine traffic as of 0800 September 9th due to reverse head conditions. The USACE does not have an estimated time for the lock to reopen based on current river and canal water level forecasts.
  • Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Scheduled closure from May 20th through approx. September 31st. Calcasieu Lock will have daytime closures Monday through Friday from 0700-1900 for major repairs to the north chamber wall. The maritime industry anticipates these closures will result in significant delays of 3-5 days. ACBL will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates and additional information as it becomes available.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 23 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 6.7 hours of delay. LPMS shows 6 tow(s) waiting, averaging 11.2 hours of delay.
  • Brazos River Flood Gates (WC 401) – Restrictions have been extended and will remain in place Monday-Friday, between 0700 and 1900 through December 31, 2026, to allow for repair work.
  • Colorado River Lock Closure (WC 441.5) – Colorado River Lock will be closed daily for West Lock South Riverside Sector Gate repairs from August 19 through September 18 from 0800 – 1800, excluding weekends and holidays.
    • September 11th 05:30: Passed 22 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 12.1 hours of delay. LPMS shows 8 tow(s) waiting, averaging 16.4 hours of delay.

Links to Current River Stages:

River Closure & Restricted Movements

Lower Miss/Gulf/Canals/Tenn Tom
Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland

Weather Information

Precipitation Forecast Inland Waterway Weather Report National Hurricane Center

Additional Information

River Stages Lock Closures and Information Archive

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