US Gulf:
A blue-water vessel with a 50-foot reported draft was noted running aground in the Southwest Pass, the primary shipping channel through the Mississippi Delta, due to shoaling. While the vessel was able to free itself without assistance, the incident triggered expectations that the industry would assess the area for possible draft restrictions.
Algiers Lock maintenance was scheduled to conclude on May 26, ending a period of Monday-through-Saturday daytime navigation shutdowns. Delays were counted up to 10 hours through the week.
Colorado Lock repairs were projected to continue through June 2, blocking travel 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. daily. Sporadic delays were observed up to 16 hours.
Intermittent shutdowns were expected at the Morgan City Railroad Bridge, located at the West Canal’s Mile 121, through the end of June. The Union Pacific Railroad Bridge was reported shutting to vessel traffic on May 21-22 for repairs. The bridge is located at Mile 64.3 of the Port Allen Route
Travel closures at Bayou Sorrel Lock were scheduled to kick off on June 6, sources noted. Navigation will be unavailable daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. due to guidewall repairs. Corps data showed delays up to six hours through the week.
Port Allen Lock waits were counted up to 45 hours, while most Industrial Lock delays topped out at 23 hours. Intermittent Brazos Lock wait times were reported in a 15-18 hour range.
Mississippi River:
Despite ongoing rain and flood conditions noted from some sections of the Upper Mississippi River basin, sources did not report a return to navigation restrictions above St. Louis.
The river gauge at St. Paul peaked at a minor-flood 14.90 feet on May 21, just shy of the area’s 15.0-foot moderate-flood threshold. By May 24, levels were posted at an action-stage 12.77 feet and falling, with the gauge forecast to drop completely out of action stage on May 27. A flood warning was in effect for the area on May 24.
On the lower river, a flash flood watch continued for parts of Mississippi and Tennessee due to the potential failure of the Arkabutla Dam, located in Mississippi’s Tate and DeSoto counties. The watch was due to expire on June 10.
Rock placement work begun on May 13 at Miles 931-933 was on hold for the May 19-27 period due to a contractor request, sources said. When underway, work at the site was noted to block southbound navigation daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The effort is currently scheduled to continue through July 13, though it was unclear whether the delay would force an extension.
Mel Price delays were noted up to 14 hours for the week.
Illinois River:
Sources reported raised wickets at Peoria Lock due to falling water levels, triggering intermittent wait times as high as 10.5 hours. Wickets remained down at LaGrange Lock, however, allowing tows to pass the site without locking.
Repair work planned at Brandon Road Lock, Dresden Island Lock, and Marseilles Lock will effectively close the Illinois River to commercial transport starting on June 1. The project is scheduled to run through late September.
Dresden Island Lock delays peaked at seven hours on May 23, according to Corps data.
Ohio River:
Dredging at RC Byrd Lock was said to slow travel for 18 hours daily, between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m., on May 22-26. Minimal delays were reported on May 24.
At the JT Meyers Lock, repairs to the floating mooring system were anticipated to continue through Aug. 20, prompting sporadic shutdowns of the site’s main lock chamber. The JT Meyers auxiliary chamber will close Aug. 21 through Sept. 10 for miter gate repairs, followed by an additional main chamber closure running Sept. 11 through Nov. 17.
The primary chamber at Dashields Lock returned from maintenance on May 20, seven days ahead of the previously-expected May 27 end date. The effort was reported slowing travel to and from both the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, prompting multiday delays.
The Melville Lock secondary chamber is closed through Aug. 4 for maintenance. The McAlpine Lock north chamber shut for planned miter gate machinery repairs on May 15, forcing tows to lock through the site’s south chamber. The project is expected to continue through June 15.
The land chamber at Smithland Lock is due to go offline Sept. 22 through Oct. 22 for machinery repairs. The Greenup Lock main chamber will close July 5 through Aug. 14, forcing tows to pass through the secondary chamber. Repairs at Winfield Lock, slated for July 10 through Sept. 15, are unlikely to impact navigation, sources said.
Dive inspections kicked off on May 21 at Olmsted Lock, sources said. Due to falling water levels, wickets were expected to be raised at the site by May 29.
Wait times at the Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock were posted up to 18.5 hours during the week. Boats transiting Wilson Lock saw delays in a 4-9 hour range.