U.S. Gulf and Atlantic:
Delays continued to be reported at Port Allen Lock due to restrictions related to a damaged guidewall, with Corps data revealing intermittent wait times stretching to 10.5 hours through the site. Unassisted tows moving to the west were capped at a single barge per turn, while westbound boats towing two or more barges were required to use an assist vessel. Eastbound tows longer than 650 feet were also required to utilize an assist vessel.
Algiers Lock size restrictions continued to effectively limit tows to four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers on unassisted lockages, although longer tows were said to remain possible with the use of an assist vessel. Delays were typically heard in the 3-5 hour range for the week.
Bayou Chene movements were unavailable between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. daily due to ongoing construction and dive activities. Delays were noted in the 6-12 hour range as a result, while the use of an assist vessel was reportedly required on all trips through the waterway.
Bayou Sorrel Lock delays were heard up to seven hours for the week, while boats traveling through Industrial Lock waited 10-17 hours to pass. Colorado Lock transit carried wait times up to 5.5 hours, and Brazos Lock travel was delayed up to 37 hours for the week. Inclement weather sparked intermittent travel delays in both the East and West Canals.
The National Hurricane Center reported a tropical disturbance crossing Atlantic shipping lanes northeast of Bermuda on July 15. The storm system was not expected to strengthen prior to July 17.
Mississippi River:
River levels were noted improving at St. Louis during the week, allowing for the partial lifting of restrictions on movements between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill.
Maximum southbound tow sizes returned to the 25-cargo limit, up from 20 barges in the prior report due to fast flows. Overnight navigation restrictions previously in force were rescinded on a number of bridges in the area, although daylight-only travel remained in place on a case-by-case basis through the bridge at Thebes, Ill.
The Lock 27 auxiliary chamber is scheduled to remain closed to travel through July 27 for repairs to the lower bullnose. Repair operations will move to the upper bullnose on Aug. 2, shutting the site’s primary lock chamber until Aug. 19.
Lock 2 miter gate installation remained scheduled for July, sources said. Lock travel is expected to see intermittent 4-12 hour delays during daytime hours once the project is underway.
Lock 14 delays were reported at 5-8 hours on July 14, while 5.5 hour waits were noted through Lock 27 on July 13.
Illinois River:
Navigation through the Beardstown Railroad Drawbridge was unavailable between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on July 12-13 due to scheduled repairs.
Falling water levels failed to reach low enough levels to raise wickets at both Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock for the week, leaving both sites open to lockless navigation.
Ohio River:
The McAlpine Lock upper chamber was heard to remain shut during the week due to ongoing dredging and repair activities, prompting traffic to pass solely through the lower chamber. As a result, intermittent delays were noted up to 10 hours.
Main chamber maintenance and repairs that began on June 21 at Cannelton Lock are scheduled to run through Nov. 19, forcing vessels to pass through the secondary chamber.
Structural cracks in the Markland Lock auxiliary chamber miter gate will reportedly keep that chamber shut to transportation through an estimated Oct. 29. Navigation has remained available through the primary chamber.
The primary lock chamber at Montgomery Lock is on the books to close for repairs from July 26 through Aug. 24, prompting boats to lock through the secondary chamber. The main chamber will go offline again later in the year, forcing detours through the auxiliary chamber between Oct. 18 and Dec. 17.
Braddock Lock’s main chamber will go offline from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15, prompting detours through the secondary chamber. The Willow Lock main chamber will close to travel on Oct. 1-31. Boats will pass through the auxiliary chamber while work is underway, and delays are expected.
A brief return to locking at Olmsted Lock was due to end on July 12, when lock operators were projected to begin the roughly 24-hour process of lowering the site’s wicket system. Following the change, tows were expected to pass through the navigational pass.
Delays through the Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock were generally noted in the 7-13 hour range for the week.
Repairs to the Cumberland River’s bio-acoustic fish fence (BAFF) system at Cheatham Lock were expected to conclude on July 15, ahead of the previous July 22 schedule.
Arkansas River:
David D. Terry Lock is due to shut for a complete dewatering and repair operation between Aug. 27 and Sept. 9, effectively closing the river at the site. Preceding the full shutdown, intermittent stoppages are expected on Aug. 16-26.