American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Friday, February 20th, 2026
****Weather conditions across the affected regions have improved; however, operational delays continue in some regions. ACBL is working diligently to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. ****
- Illinois Lock Delays due to river conditions:
- Marseilles Lock (IR 244.6) – February 20th 03:00: Passed 3 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 2.7 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 103.3 hours of delay.
- Starved Rock Lock (IR 231) – February 20th 03:00: Passed 3 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 26.0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 8 tows waiting, averaging 94.6 hours of delay.
- Peoria Lock Delay (IR 157.7) – February 20th 03:00: Passed 2 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 6.7 hours of delay. LPMS shows 5 tows waiting, averaging 89.6 hours of delay.
- Lagrange Lock (IR 80) – February 20th 03:00: Passed 2 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 88.0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 30 tows waiting, averaging 118.6 hours of delay.
- Illinois River Operations Update (Effective February 5th)
- ACBL has resumed operations on the Illinois River. Vessel movements have recommenced; however, delays should be expected as traffic normalizes, and conditions continue to improve. Northbound and Southbound timings are being planned as conditions allow, but again transits are slower than normal.
- ACBL will continue to closely monitor river conditions and operational impacts and will provide further updates as necessary.
- Please see the current river segment conditions below, reflecting ongoing impacts from Winter Storm Fern:
- Illinois River Weather-Related Issues:
- The following fleet operations have resumed and are returning to normalcy:
- Beardstown, Dosh, Havana, Peoria, Pekin, Spring Valley, Hennepin, LaSalle, Ottawa, Morris, Naples, Lacon
- Channahon/Lemont
- Operations have resumed
- Transit from Lemont to Chicago with 1-2 barges has begun, expect slower transit times.
- SAG Canal/Chicago Harbor/Lake Michigan
- Lake conditions have improved; crossing began 2/17.
- The following fleet operations have resumed and are returning to normalcy:
- Ice Couplings on the Illinois River – As of February 20th, ice couplings are no longer required on the river.
- Ohio River Weather-Related Issues:
- Southpoint (OR 316) to Cairo operations have improved and are beginning to return to normalcy.
- The following fleet operations have limited hours for operations as of February 19th.
- Georgetown/Pittsburgh area
- The following fleet operations have recovered and are operating at normal production:
- Metropolis, Shawneetown, Mt. Vernon, Owensboro, Newburgh, Jeffersonville, Madison, Cincinnati, Southpoint.
As part of our annual financial and operational compliance cycle, American Commercial Barge Lines is partnering with EY to complete the 2025 audit confirmations. If your organization is selected for verification, EY may contact you directly to validate account activity or balances. This process helps ensure transparency, accuracy, and continued trust in our reporting. We appreciate your quick attention to any requests and thank you for supporting a smooth audit cycle.
- Upper Miss Re-Opening – ACBL will distribute our annual guidance for accepting release dates for the Upper Mississippi above St. Louis during the week of February 23rd. Click here for our full guidance.
- Illinois River Lockport Re-Opening – ACBL will distribute our annual guidance for accepting release dates above Lockport Lock during the week of February 23rd. Click here for our full guidance.
- Lower Miss Operational Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Loading drafts were reduced to .05% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
- Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14% (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.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) –
- Portland Canal Main Wall Repairs – Starting October 27, 2025, they will begin repairing the main wall of the Portland Canal. They will pass traffic N/B 0700-1000, No traffic will pass from 1000-1500, N/B only from 1500-1900, then all traffic will pass from 1900-0700. They expect this to last until April 2026.
- C.W. Bill Young Lock Closure (AR 14.5) – The Allegheny River lock will be closed for maintenance from March 16th thru April 10th. A full river closure will be in effect during this period.
- Old River Lock Closures (LM 303) – Beginning February 9th and continuing until further notice, the lock will be subject to intermittent delays during daylight hours (up to 10 hours daily) for repairs.
- February 20th 03:00: Passed 0 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 89.0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 1 tow waiting, averaging 89.0 hours of delay.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) -Daytime closures from 0630-1730 beginning January 30th thru March 27th to facilitate demolition of the river end guidewall.
- February 20th 03:00: Passed 2 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 90.6 hours of delay. LPMS shows 18 tows waiting, averaging 133.7 hours of delay.
- Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Dredging operations will require daily closures from 0700 to 1900, beginning February 10th and continuing through March 5th.
- February 20th 03:00: Passed 0 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 73.95 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 114.5 hours of delay.
- Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning in May 2026 there will be two 35-day, Daytime lock closures at the Calcasieu Lock. Expected to last until October. Max width during the nighttime passings will be 54′.
- Gulf Region Fog – As of February 17th, due to dense fog in the area, several operators are experiencing disruptions. Delays are anticipated.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
