American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Upper Miss River Re-Opening: ACBL has sent out our annual guidance for re-opening dates to the Upper Miss. Click the link below for our full guidance.
- 2025 Upper Miss Opening

2025 Planned Illinois River Lock Port Closure – The closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, was delayed and is now scheduled to start January 28th, 2025, through March 25th, 2025. The initial advisory regarding releases has been revised as of November 7th. Please see the advisory below.
- The purpose of this closure is for the installation of the new Vertical Lift Gates, and sill & seal modifications and repairs. This closure will inhibit the ability to move barges from the Illinois to Chicago and Chicago to Illinois.
- 2025 Illinois River Lockport Closure

Lower Miss Low Water Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
  - Loading drafts were reduced to 20% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
  - Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14-27% (5-10 barges)
  - Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.

High Water on the Ohio River (OR 602) – A safety advisory has been issued for the area near Towhead Island due to high water; south-bound traffic is restricted to daylight only transit.

Fog Delays – Several delays of 6-12 hours have been reported by the industry and service providers on nearly all river segments, especially the Gulf, due to heavy fog. These conditions are expected to continue through the week.

Weather Conditions on the Illinois River – Due to river conditions, as of December 30th ice couplings are now required going on the Illinois, delays to be expected.

Mel Price Lock (UM 200) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, currently double locking; expect delays to grow to 18-25 hours daily. February 11^th 07:00 Passed 9 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 2.27 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 0 tows waiting that have averaged 0.00 hours of delay.

Lock 27 (UM 185.5) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, currently double locking; expect delays to grow to 18-25 hours daily. February 11^th 07:00 Passed 13 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 22.94 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 4 tows waiting that have averaged 21.48 hours of delay.

McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – beginning January 6th thru March 25th there will be intermittent daytime closures, due to work on the Portland Canal wall, will resume starting at 0700 for up to 10 hours a day. February 11^th 07:00 Passed 12 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 0.08 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 0 tows waiting that have averaged 0.00 hours of delay.

Kanawha River Full Closure (KR 0-91) – As of February 6th, the river is closed due to high water. The projected opening date is now Wednesday, February 12th.

New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – The scheduled primary chamber closure for February 7th thru May 28th to facilitate repairs, has been rescheduled for February 25th thru June 1st.

Louisville & Nashville Railroad Drawbridge (TR 414) – Due to repairs, the bridge will be in the closed to navigation position for two separate closures:
- February 17th thru February 21st
- February 24th thru February 28th

Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) -Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due to cracks in miter gate pintle, repair time is now estimated to be June 14, 2025. February 11^th 07:00 passed 1 tow and 2 partial tows with 15 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 295.94 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 36 tows and a partial tow with 251 barges waiting that have averaged 171.88 hours of delay.

Cheatham Lock Closure (CR 148.7) – Lock will be closed for scheduled repairs from March 3rd thru May 29th, 2025, with interim openings:
- Opening 1: March 20th starting at 1800 thru March 24th at 0600.

Lower Memphis Bridge (LM 734.5) – A 20-day project will begin on January 30th thru approximately February 19th with daylight only transit for tows over 3 wide.

Togo Closures (LM 413) –
- The scheduled closure in place for S/B traffic due to dike installations that started on January 6th through approximately March 30th has now been extended thru late April.

Natchez Bridge (LM 361) – There will be a 58-day project (January 11th thru March 2nd), 1.9 miles below the bridge, to replace a line across the river. There will be 12 days of intermittent 12-hour closures scheduled for February 9th thru March 8th, now postponed until June 2025.

Industrial Lock Closure (LM 92.6) – The lock will experience daytime closures from 0700-1700 on February 12th and 13th for repairs to the lock’s dolphin protection piles.

Bayou Sorrel Lock Closure (PA 37) – Daily closures Monday through Friday resumed June 26th, 2023, through February 2025, to facilitate guide wall repairs from 07:00 to 19:00. Project was unavailable 06:10-17:56 2/10. LPMS is not showing any transits since 02:30 2/11. February 11^th 07:00 Passed 5 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 9.89 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 10 tows waiting that have averaged 7.76 hours of delay.

Colorado River Locks (WC 440) – The East and West locks will have daytime restrictions Monday through Friday now starting January 29th thru February 28th. Project was unavailable 18:16-22:27 2/10. February 11^th 07:00 Passed 21 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 5.66 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 12.47 hours of delay.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and was expected to last thru November 2024 but has now been extended to February 28, 2025. Project was unavailable 06:40-10:11 2/10, then again 01:27-05:51 February 11^th 07:00 Passed 24 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 14.91 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 41.25 hours of delay.