American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

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.

Smith Bay Channel Closure (UM 529.8 – 530.1) – Hydraulic dredging operations began July 27th and will continue until further notice at Smith Bay. Dredging will be performed 7 days a week, 24 hours per day. Passing of traffic will be allowed at 0000, 1100, and 2100 as follows: passenger vessels will have priority, followed by NB traffic and lastly SB traffic.

Lock 19 (UM 364.40) – Daily lock closures from 0600 – 1800 on the following dates for work in preparation for the construction project this upcoming winter: August 3rd -7th, August 10th – 14th, August 17th -21st
- August 12th 03:00: Passed 8 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 5.3 hours of delay. LPMS shows 3 tow(s) waiting, averaging 21.0 hours of delay.

Lock 25 (UM 241.40) – Lock will be closed daily from 0700 – 1900 on Monday to Saturday from August 10th to September 19th for repairs.
- August 12th 03:00: Passed 4 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 37.2 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tow(s) waiting, averaging 22.3 hours of delay.

Brandon Road Lock Closure (IR 286.00) – Weekday (Monday-Friday) lock closures starting September 21st, 2026 through April 28th, 2028 from 0600 – 1800 for rock excavation in channel and wall construction at the lock approach area. UPDATE: A stop work order was issued on July 24th to halt construction on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently keeping the navigation notice in place, pending further developments/updates from the Administration.

Upper Ohio (Georgetown/Pittsburgh areas) – The Upper Ohio region has received significant rainfall over the past week, with additional precipitation forecast throughout the coming week. River levels are expected to rise rapidly by the weekend, which will likely result in operational delays at all local fleet locations. Transits may also be affected as the river rises, especially near bridges and locks. We are closely monitoring conditions and will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

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.
- August 12th 03:00: Passed 7 tow(s) in the last 24 hours, which averaged 1.3 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tow(s) waiting, averaging 0.0hours 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.

Arkansas River Lock Closures (multiple locks) – Daily lock closures from 0700 – 1900 from June 15^th 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 may experience longer than normal delays due to the closure at Barkley Lock.
- August 12th 03:00: Passed 8 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 26.4 hours of delay. LPMS shows 9 tow(s) waiting, averaging 24.0 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.

Harvey Lock (LM 98) – Effective August 10th, Harvey Lock is closed until further notice due to reverse head conditions. River stages impacting reverse head conditions are not anticipated to improve in the near future. Algiers Lock can be used as an alternate route.

Port Allen Lock Closure (LM 228.4) – Daily lock closures of up to 12 hours, during daylight hours only, August 4th through approximately August 12th for dredging. Port Allen Railroad Bridge channel was closed from 18:00 August 10th to 14:40 August 11th.
- August 12th 03:00: Passed 11 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 42.9 hours of delay. LPMS shows 25 tow(s) waiting, averaging 51.6 hours of delay.

Houma Channel Closure (WC 60) – Daily channel closures August 17 through August 21 from 0900 – 1500 for work on the Bayou Dularge Bascule Bridge

Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Scheduled closure from May 20th through approx. September 18th. 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.
- August 12th 03:00: Passed 29 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 8.6 hours of delay. LPMS shows 11 tow(s) waiting, averaging 17.6 hours of delay.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – As of July 6th, lock closures have shifted back to daytime. Restrictions will take place Monday-Friday, between 0700 and 1900 through August 28th to allow for allision repair work.
- August 12th 03:00: Passed 28 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 23.65 hours of delay. LPMS shows 16 tow(s) waiting, averaging 34.8 hours of delay.

Links to Current River Stages: