US Gulf:
Gate repairs have closed Algiers Lock through Dec. 1, sources said. Tows are able to detour through the Port Allen Route, adding a reported 24-48 hours to travel times.
Bayou Sorrel Lock is closed for guidewall repairs between 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, leaving waits in a wide 12-32 hour range, stretching from 15-25 hours last week. Tows arriving before 4:30 p.m. were permitted to lock before the site closes the following morning, though the shutdowns were temporarily suspended whenever wait times push above 24 hours. The site was completely closed on Oct. 31 for concrete pouring.
Low head conditions triggered lengthy wait times at Harvey Lock during the early part of the week, with Corps data showing delays up to 5.5 days. Improving conditions allowed for drastically reduced waits starting on Oct. 31, though tows will continue to be limited to 300-foot lengths and 70-foot widths whenever head conditions fall below the 1.5-foot mark, sources said. The lock was completely shut between June 15 and Oct. 16 due to reverse head conditions.
Brazos Lock maintenance restricted movements between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, set to run through Nov. 29, resulting in intermittent 7-21 hour delays. Dredging at Bayou Chene is scheduled through Nov. 30, resulting in slow-travel warnings in the area.
The Ellender Bridge, located at Mile 243 of the West Canal, will close on Nov. 11-12 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for planned maintenance. The shutdowns will repeat on Nov. 18-19.
Port Allen Lock waits were reported in the 2-3 day range due to surplus traffic from the Algiers Lock shutdown. Corps data showed intermittent five-hour delays at Industrial Lock.
Mississippi River:
Loading drafts on the Lower Mississippi River continued to see reductions of 25-30% on northbound travel due to low water levels, sources said. Tows traveling downriver were reduced by 20-25%.
The river gauge at Vicksburg, Miss., was noted at a low-stage 2.53 feet and rising on Nov. 2. Forecasts predicted a brief crest above the 5.0-foot low stage on Nov. 9-15, followed by a return to low-stage levels as early as Nov. 16. The gauge at Memphis, noted at a low-stage (-)8.11 feet at midweek, was expected to break above the (-)5.0-foot low stage on Nov. 9-11.
Tows were restricted to five-barge widths between Cairo, Ill., and Mile 303, reducing hauls by 5-15 barges, depending on horsepower. Some sources expected a return to six-barge widths once the Memphis gauge pushes above the (-)8.0-foot market, predicted on Nov. 2.
Dredging was reported at Miles 710 and 488 on the lower river, as well as in the Baton Rouge, La., area. On the upper river, channel work was reported at Miles 481, 255, 40, and near the Kaskaskia River, located between Cairo and St. Louis.
St. Louis depths were 3.98 feet on Nov. 2, improving from (-)0.55 feet one week earlier. Forecasts showed a crest at 5.50 feet on Nov. 5-6, ahead of an expected drawdown to (-)1.10 feet on Nov. 16. Taking advantage of the conditions, maximum loading drafts increased to 90% of normal capacity at St. Louis during the week, up from 65-70% noted previously.
Locks located on the upper Mississippi are scheduled to close for the winter navigation season between Dec. 5 and March 11, 2024.
Illinois River:
Loading drafts were reduced by 5-10% on the Illinois River due to low water levels, sources said. Wickets continued in the raised position at Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock, prompting delays up to seven hours.
Ohio River:
Loading drafts for southbound tows saw cuts of 10-15% on the Ohio River during the week. Drafts were limited to 8.5 feet on the Monongahela River.
The main chamber at John T. Myers Lock is shut through Nov. 6 for repairs and maintenance, forcing boats to pass through the auxiliary chamber. Delays were reported at 3-5 days, up from 2-5 days at last check.
The Montgomery Lock primary chamber is offline through Nov. 22, sources said. The site’s secondary chamber will close on Nov. 22-26, followed by an additional primary chamber shutdown on Nov. 26-Dec. 22. Dredging at Miles 967-975 was expected to conclude on Oct. 31, ending a period of one-way travel restrictions in the area.
On the Tennessee River, Kentucky Lock delays were quoted at 5-13 hours. Tows waited up to 18 hours to pass Wilson Lock.