U.S. Gulf/River: Shipping operators announced the closure of upper Mississippi River Lock and Dam 5A for the duration of the navigation season beginning on Dec. 8. The lock is scheduled to reopen on March 15, 2015, weather permitting.
Lock and Dam 22 on the upper Mississippi will close Sept. 29-30 for four hours daily to complete repairs and maintenance. Lock and Dam 20 will also see four-hour shutdowns on Oct. 1-2 while repairs are completed.
Massive delays were reported on the upper Ohio River between Mile OR 13.3 and OR 31.7. Wait times at Dashields Lock were pinned at 48-60 hours for the week while main chamber repairs, expected through Sept. 19, were conducted. Similarly, 48-60 hour delays were reported at Montgomery Lock, where main chamber maintenance was scheduled to conclude Sept. 5.
Lock 52 on the lower Ohio was also engaged in main chamber repairs, and saw average queue lengths of 14 boats with accompanying delays of 24-36 hours. Work on the main chamber is set to wrap up Sept. 12, but the lock’s auxiliary chamber will close Sept. 22 through Oct. 19.
The lower Ohio’s R.C. Byrd Lock was subject to 1-2 hour delays for the week, and comparable waits were reported at J.T. Meyers Lock. Tow limits for southbound transit through the Olmstead Locks and Dam Project will remain in effect until elevated river flows subside.
On the Arkansas River, ongoing miter gate repairs at W.D. Mayo Lock No. 18 shut down all lock transit through Sept. 14. Vessels are free to move above and below the lock during the closure.
In the Gulf, Industrial Lock was closed Sep. 4 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., exacerbating delays of 12-18 hours reported for the week. Other notable waits in the area included Bayou Sorrel Lock (2-3 hours), Port Allen Lock (4-6 hours), and Algiers Lock (1-2 hours).