U.S. Gulf:
High water was reported shutting the Port Allen Route’s Bayou Sorrel Lock through the early week, forcing detours through Algiers Lock. Transit was noted resuming on May 17. Residual delays from the shutdown were quoted up to 44 hours on May 17-19.
Port Allen Lock was scheduled to end a round of guidewall repairs on May 17. The damaged guidewall was noted limiting unassisted westbound travel to a single barge, while vessels with two or more barges in tow were required to utilize an assist vessel. Eastbound tows longer than 650 feet were required to use an assist boat. Intermittent four-hour shutdowns were reported from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily while work was underway.
Restrictions persisted on Gulf operations above New Orleans thanks to elevated water levels, sources said, reducing maximum tow lengths by 5-10 barges.
Overnight movements through bridges in the Baton Rouge area were considered on a case-by-case basis only, sources said. Water levels at Baton Rouge were reported above the 30-foot action stage at 32.9 feet on May 18. The gauge was forecast to fall below action stage on May 23. A May 18 Flood Warning for the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, and Pointe Coupee was slated to expire on May 21.
Harvey Lock was slated to return to normal operation on May 22, as repairs to the nearby 4th Street Bridge were projected to wrap up on May 21. Tows have been routed through Algiers Lock while the project is underway, triggering delays in a 3-4 day range. A total of 78 vessels were reported in the locking queue on May 18.
The delays at Algiers were compounded by restrictions on unassisted lockages through the site, limited to four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers. Larger tows were reportedly possible when accompanied by an assist vessel.
Movements through Bayou Chene were unavailable between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. daily, due to nighttime shutdowns for construction and dive activities. In addition, sources reported an assist vessel requirement on transits through the waterway.
Colorado River Lock delays were counted up to 16 hours for the week. Sources put Brazos Lock waits at 4-7 hours.
Mississippi River:
Transit through the I-40 Bridge, located at Miles 736-737 on the lower Mississippi River, resumed on May 14 after a failed May 12 structural inspection forced a complete navigation shutdown. A large crack discovered in a support beam will require at least 6-8 weeks to repair, although engineers were reported to green-light river traffic beneath the bridge while repairs are underway.
Sources reported an early-week closure through the upper river’s Smith’s Bay, located at Mile 530. Severe shoaling reported in the area prompted a round of dredging beginning on May 12, precipitating the stoppage.
Repairs underway at the Burlington Railroad Bridge, located near the upper river’s Mile 410, were noted to require advance notice of at least one hour on travel through the lock. The restrictions, in place daily between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., were expected to continue into second-half June.
Elevated water levels continued to slow travel below Cairo, reducing maximum cargoes by 5-10 barges from their typical 25-barge slates. Sources noted ongoing restrictions on overnight travel through bridges in the Vicksburg area, although navigation requests were considered on a case-by-case basis.
The river gauge at Vicksburg returned an action-stage 35.7-foot reading on May 19. Levels were projected to move below the 35-foot action stage on May 21-22, an important step toward lifting restrictions on the lower river.
Rock-laying operations at Randolph Bluff, located at the lower river’s Mile 770, inhibited travel daily between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Requests for both northbound and southbound transits during daytime hours were considered on a case-by-case basis, sources indicated, although delays remained in a 6-12 hour range. The project was set to wrap up on May 31.
The Corps remains on track for a July shutdown of Lock 2 for miter gate repairs, sources noted. The project is expected to shut daylight-hour travel for 4-12 hour blocks. Guidewall repairs are projected to halt Lock 25 to daytime travel in July and August.
Lock 10 waits were reported up to five hours, while six-hour delays were noted through Lock 21. Waits were posted up to 11 hours through Lock 25, while 3-6 hour crossings were heard through Lock 27.
Illinois River:
Sources reported lowered wickets at Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock due to elevated river levels, prompting lockless navigation through the area.
Ohio River: Main chamber repairs were noted kicking off May 17 at Meldahl Lock. Previously set to begin April 12, transit through the main chamber is expected to be completely unavailable, prompting detours through the site’s 600-foot auxiliary chamber through June 29. Delays for the week were quoted in a general 5-18 hour range. Sources warned of potential total-lock shutdowns interspersed throughout the project.
Structural cracks in the Markland Lock auxiliary chamber miter gate have reportedly kept that unit closed to navigation since early 2020. The chamber is scheduled to remain shut through Oct. 29, although the main chamber is expected to stay open to traffic for the duration of the closure.
The New Cumberland Lock secondary chamber was reported closed through June 10 for repairs and maintenance.
Primary chamber repairs and maintenance are set to begin June 21 at Cannelton Lock, likely prompting substantial delays through Nov. 19, sources indicated. Traffic is set to run through the site’s smaller auxiliary chamber while work is underway.
The Tennessee River’s Wilson Lock returned from main chamber repairs on May 14, sources noted. Vessels had been consigned to navigation through the secondary chamber since May 4, causing extensive, multiday delays.
Chickamauga Lock was noted shut to navigation on May 3-24 due to an electrical system overhaul. Kentucky Lock wait times were reported in a 12-18 hour range, with intermittent delays spiking as high as 36 hours.
Repairs to the bio-acoustic fish fence (BAFF) at the Cumberland River’s Cheatham Lock were set to fully halt traffic on May 17-27; June 1-10; June 14-24, June 28-July 1; and July 12-22.
Arkansas River:
David D. Terry Lock is scheduled to shut for a dewatering and repair operation Aug. 27 through Sept. 9, effecting a total river shutdown at the site. Intermittent delays were anticipated on Aug. 16-26, ahead of the full shutdown.