American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

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.

2025 Planned Illinois River Lock Port Closure – The closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, starting January 14th, 2025, through March 11th, 2025. 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 24% NBD Gulf to Cairo, 8% SBD Cairo to the Gulf.
  - Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14-25%, or 5-10 barges, from Cairo to Rosedale, and 14-17% Rosedale to Gulf.
  - Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.

Dredge Goetz (UM 173) – Dredging work is ongoing in St. Louis with intermittent nightly closures impacting transit.

Dredge Potter (UM 38-40)- The dredge is still on station with ongoing work, but closures are no longer necessary.

McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – Starting July 8th thru November 30th starting at 07:00 to 19:00 up to 10 hours a day, there will be daily closures to downbound traffic while work is being conducted with normal operations resuming in the evening.

Markland Lock Closure (OR 531) – The main chamber is currently back open and is expected to shut back down September 8th thru October 6th. All traffic will pass through the Auxiliary Chamber during the respective closures. Auxiliary Chamber was unavailable 21:58 10/8-05:57 10/9. October 9^th 07:00 Passed 8 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 4.92 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 3 tows waiting that have averaged 4.35 hours of delay.

Hannibal Lock Closure (OR 126) – The primary chamber will be down for maintenance work from June 3rd to November 30th, starting 06:00 to 23:59. The auxiliary chamber will remain open to navigation during that period, but there will be instances announced in advance where both chambers are closed for up to 12 hours to facilitate concrete placement. Auxiliary Chamber was unavailable 07:03-15:31 10/3. October 9^th 07:00 Passed 11 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 10.03 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 5 tows waiting that have averaged 4.24 hours of delay.

Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) – Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due cracks in miter gates, repair time is estimated to be completed in December. October 9^th 07:00 Passed 4 tows and a partial tow, with 15 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 76.19 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 12 tows with 65 barges waiting that have averaged 54.42 hours of delay.

Kentucky Lock (TR 22.3) – Daytime closures 06:00-18:00 September 9^th through October 12^th. Lock was unavailable 06:39-18:42 10/8. October 9^th 07:00 Passed 4 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 15.99 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 6 tows waiting that have averaged 11.21 hours of delay.

Dredge Jadwin (LM 540) – They are continuing to dredge with expected rolling 24-hour closures.

Port Allen Lock Closure (PA 63) – There is a tentative schedule for seven daytime closures to occur starting on October 28th to facilitate repairs. After initial repairs are complete, another seven-day closure is expected to occur three weeks later depending on conditions.

Gross Tete Bridge Closure (PA 47) – Daily closures to facilitate repairs from September 24th thru December 31st. The bridge will open to traffic from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 22:00 to 05:00 the following day.

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 16:00. Project was unavailable 06:59-16:46 10/8. October 9^th 07:00 Passed 19 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 9.87 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 6 tows waiting that have averaged 2.53 hours of delay.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and is expected to last thru October 2024. Project was unavailable 05:41-20:00 10/9. October 9^th 07:00 Passed 21 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 8.09 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 3.39 hours of delay.

Holt Lock & Dam Closure (WT 347) – After being closed to transit since June 22nd at 12:00 due to cracking that was previously being monitored, temp repairs were completed October 2nd and operations resumed locking; expected daily closures from 07:00 to 19:00 while ongoing work is completed.