U.S. Gulf: Shippers reported extended delays of 45-60 hours at Industrial Lock. Bayou Sorrel Lock was backed up as well with waits of 20-24 hours, and Algiers Lock saw 16-18 hour transit delays. Boats transiting through Port Allen Lock waited an average 2-4 hours for the week.
Intermittent closures at Leland Bowman Lock were expected to continue through March 31, and service interruptions at Calcasieu Lock were scheduled to run until April 10.
Mississippi River: Departure dates for Upper Mississippi destinations continued to be delayed last week due to icy conditions, shippers said. Departures for docks above Clinton, Iowa, were projected to begin near the end of March.
Delays of 1-2 hours were reported at Lock 27 due to main chamber work running through March 20. The site’s auxiliary lock is offline through April 15. Lock and Dam 5A was anticipated to reopen for the navigation season on March 23, and gate replacement at Mel Price Lock will keep that site’s auxiliary chamber offline through April 30.
On the Lower Mississippi, high water conditions limited tow sizes for the week. Transit times were increased as well.
Illinois River: Icy conditions continued on the Illinois River last week. Elevated water levels persisted as well, prompting LaGrange and Peoria Locks to cease locking, with both locks passing traffic as of March 19. Prior to the locking cessation, Peoria Lock saw intermittent shutdowns on March 18-19 while miter gate inspections were performed.
A buoy boat was expected to see action on March 23, beginning in the lake and then working its way downriver. T.J. O’Brien lock reopened last week following nearly two months of repair operations.
Ohio River: High water issues continued to plague the Ohio River, with transit times and tow lengths negatively affected. Loading operations were hampered at a number of docks as well.
The Upper Ohio crested last week, and the lower river was forecast to follow suit beginning around March 19-21, with the elevated levels expected to slowly diminish over the next week or two. The river was projected to crest at Cairo, Ill., on March 19 at 8.5 feet above flood stage.
River flows at both the Newburgh and J.T. Meyers Locks on the Ohio prompted the halting of locking operations, with traffic allowed to pass over the fixed weirs during daylight hours. Also at Newburgh, lock repairs between April 6 and May 19 will force intermittent shutdowns. Repairs to the auxiliary chamber at New Cumberland Lock will see that chamber offline through April 18.
The Allegheny River remained closed to navigation indefinitely due to the presence of ice and high flows, though shippers said the icy conditions were much improved.
The Kanawha River’s Winfield Lock main chamber will close for repairs March 23 through June 10, with significant delays anticipated.
On the Tennessee River, the Wilson Lock main chamber will be offline March 23-28 for stoplog liner installation, and again May 5 through June 11 for dewatering. The auxiliary chamber will be available during both closures. The Pickwick Lock main chamber will be closed for electrical work between March 23 and April 2.
Lock No. 3 on the Monongahela River will see its auxiliary chamber closed for repair April 26 through May 29, and the land chamber at Maxwell Lock will be offline for maintenance for the same duration.
Arkansas River: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continued to debate a Montgomery Point Lock closure proposed to run Aug. 24 through Sept. 30. Should the plan be enacted, all navigation into the Arkansas River would halt for the duration of the closure.
Additional lock shutdowns include Choteau Lock, scheduled for complete closure May 11-17, and Webbe