U.S. Gulf and Atlantic:
Marine navigation in the U.S. Gulf remained constricted on Sept. 7 following Hurricane Ida’s Aug. 29 landfall at Louisiana. Movement resumed in much of the region during the week, although a patchwork of restrictions and shutdowns complicated the return to normal operations. Sources predicted ongoing headaches persisting well into September.
Port Condition Zulu was lifted from the Port of New Orleans during the week, returning travel to much of the Central and Eastern Gulf, although restrictions remained. Shoaling blocked all West Canal movements at Miles 18-20, while a dredge dispatched to the site was reportedly unable to clear the area.
Gulf locks that were closed during the prior week reopened to vessel traffic, while daylight-only operating restrictions were noted at Bayou Chene and Port Fourchon, near Ida’s initial landfall. Coast Guard data also indicated a navigation shutdown in the Houma Canal on Sept. 2.
Algiers Lock travel restrictions remained in place during the week, effectively capping unassisted lockages at four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers. Larger crossings continued to be possible with the use of an assist vessel.
Intermittent 12-hour transit stoppages were expected at Belle Chasse Bridge, located near Algiers Lock at Mile 3 in the West Canal, due to a long-term construction project. Work at the site is projected to run into late 2022.
Port Allen Lock delays were reported up to 60 hours for the week, with 45 vessels queued to lock on Sept. 7. Bayou Sorrel Lock waits topped out at five hours, while Colorado Lock passages were heard at six hours on Sept. 7.
Hurricane Larry was tracked near Bermuda as a Category 2 storm on Sept. 9, according to the National Hurricane Center. Larry was expected to dogleg north in the days ahead, potentially causing strong ocean swells along the U.S. coastline.
Tropical Storm Mindy made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Sept. 8 just hours after forming, dropping 2-6 inches of rain in the process. Mindy moved eastward into the Atlantic on Sept. 4, following an expected path toward Bermuda.
Mississippi River:
The lifting of Port Condition Zulu during the week returned much of the lower Mississippi River to navigation, although shutdowns remained. No traffic was permitted at Miles 105-108 due to the institution of a Safety Zone, while navigation was described as largely unavailable on Sept. 7 between Mile 108 and Mile 167.
A number of vessels were noted adrift at Mile 37 on the lower Mississippi River, while submerged barges and storage tanks reported at Miles 53-54 called for extreme caution while operating in the area. Daylight-only restrictions were in place for the week on Deep Draft vessels running south of Mile 114 on the lower river. Downed power lines also hindered traffic at a handful of locations.
Low water levels and fast river flows continued to result in northbound tow-size reductions of 5-10 barges. The Dredge Hurley was on site at Mile 585, with no navigation shutdowns predicted.
Lock 18 was scheduled to close to navigation from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 15 for repairs.
On the upper river, the Merchants Memorial Rail Bridge was set to undergo two 24-hour navigation shutdowns in September, part of an extended $222 million replacement effort scheduled through 2022. Navigation was expected to be unavailable on Sept. 10 and Sept. 13.
Illinois River:
Wickets remained in the raised position for the week at both LaGrange Lock and Peoria Lock due to low water levels, forcing continued lockages through both locations.
Ohio River:
The Newburgh Lock secondary chamber was reportedly shut for emergency repairs during the week. The chamber was projected to return to service on Sept. 9.
Montgomery Lock is scheduled to undergo a main chamber shutdown running from Oct. 18 through Dec. 17 for repairs and maintenance, forcing traffic to pass through the site’s smaller secondary chamber. A recent main chamber closure that ended on Aug. 27 was noted producing 2-4 day delays.
Main chamber maintenance at Cannelton Lock was in progress through Nov. 19, forcing detours through the secondary chamber. Auxiliary chamber repairs are likely to trigger intermittent transit stoppages on Nov. 1-19. Work at the site has been underway since June 21.
Structural miter gate damage at the Markland Lock secondary chamber was anticipated to force all transportation through the site’s primary chamber through an estimated Oct. 29.
The main chamber at Braddock Lock is scheduled to close from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15 for maintenance, prompting traffic to pass solely through the secondary chamber, with delays expected.
A mechanical breakdown blocked main chamber access at Willow Island Lock on Sept. 8. Boats were noted passing through the auxiliary chamber during the closure, despite ongoing maintenance on that chamber scheduled through Sept. 30. Following the conclusion of secondary chamber work, the main chamber is set to shut on Oct. 1-31 for maintenance and repairs. Willow Island delays were quoted up to 11 hours on Sept. 8.
The Hannibal Lock primary chamber was slated to go offline from Sept. 13 through Oct. 29 for repairs and maintenance, prompting tows to lock through the 600-foot auxiliary chamber. McAlpine Lock delays were noted up to 14 hours for the week.
High flows limited navigation at the Tennessee River’s Wilson Lock, located at Mile 259, due to the institution of staggered one-way lockages running at 12-hour intervals. Vessels traveling southbound were expected to lock during daytime hours, while those traveling upriver were greenlit for overnight passage only.
Kentucky Lock is scheduled to shut from Nov. 1 through Dec. 10 for repairs. The Corps was reportedly planning a single opening period ton Nov. 25-28 to pass waiting vessels. Delays were reported up to 8.5 hours for the week, down from 36 hours in the prior report.
Maintenance to the Cumberland River’s bio-acoustic fish fence (BAFF) system was scheduled to block daytime movements through Barkley Lock starting on Sept. 16. Navigation will be unavailable daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through Oct. 5.
The Monongahela River’s Lock 2 will see limited main chamber access between Sept. 13 and Oct. 15 due to repairs and maintenance. Passage will remain available through the secondary chamber while the project is underway.
Arkansas River:
David D. Terry Lock was scheduled to return from a full dewatering and repair shutdown on Sept. 9. The project began on Aug. 27, and was preceded by a round of intermittent closures on Aug. 16-26.
Intermittent daily closures at Joe Hardin Lock are expected between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 19-21. Similar delays are on the books at Emmett Sanders Lock on Oct. 26-28.