US Gulf:
Rising water levels on the Lower Mississippi River allowed for softer travel restrictions in the Gulf during the week. Northbound tows operating above New Orleans were limited to 10-foot loading drafts, up from 9.5 feet at last report, while towing widths were capped at six barges. Draft limits continued at 9.5 feet in both the East and West Canals.
Bayou Sorrel Lock guidewall repairs were scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, contributing to waits up to 11 hours during the week. A complete closure was expected during the daytime on Dec. 16, while a 17-hour shutdown was penciled in for Dec. 20. Tows arriving before 4:30 p.m. were permitted to lock before work resumes the following morning, sources said, and the shutdowns were suspended whenever wait times rise above 24 hours. The project is slated to continue into March 2024.
The improved conditions on the lower river allowed Harvey Lock travel times to normalize for the first time in months, according to Corps data. However, with river levels expected to decline in the two-week forecast, the shorter wait times could be temporary. Harvey Lock navigation is limited to 300-foot lengths and 70-foot widths when head conditions fall below 1.5 feet, and locking is limited to daylight hours.
Repairs to the Grand Lake Bridge, located near Mile 231.5 in the West Canal, will block navigation daily from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., and again from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., until further notice. Travel was unavailable through the Intracoastal Waterway near Amelia, La., on Dec. 12 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. due to a planned channel obstruction.
Gate repairs at Bayou Boeuf Lock, located at Mile 93.3 of the West Canal, will require a number of four-day travel outages starting in mid-January 2024, sources said.
Intermittent 5-16 hour delays were reported at Port Allen Lock, while tows passing Industrial Lock needed up to 17 hours to lock. Corps data showed 13-hour wait times at Algiers Lock on Dec. 13-14, and Colorado Lock travel was delayed in a wide 5-56 hour range. Boats transiting Brazos Lock waited up to 37 hours to pass.
Mississippi River:
Towing restrictions on the lower river eased slightly on the back of rising water levels. While northbound loading drafts continued at a 20-25% decrease below normal levels, restrictions on southbound drafts softened to 10-15% from 15-20% noted previously. Towing widths continued to max out at six barges, off from the usual 7-8 barge limits, depending on vessel horsepower.
The capacity increase could prove short-lived, however, as falling water levels were predicted in the two-week forecast. The river gauge at Memphis, reported at a low-stage (-)5.95 feet and rising on Dec. 14, was projected to fall to (-)8.7 feet on Dec. 28, following a (-)3.8-foot crest anticipated on Dec. 18-19. The Vicksburg, Miss., gauge was expected to crest above the 5-foot low stage on Dec. 21, before reversing course to 3.3 feet on Dec. 28.
On the upper river, loading drafts were limited to 9.0 feet from St. Louis to St. Paul, Minn. Barge counts were restricted to 12 units between St. Paul and Winona, Minn., and 15 barges from Winona to St. Louis. Sources reported draft reductions of 5-10% between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill. Following a (-)0.58-foot crest on Dec. 12, the river gauge at St. Louis was forecast to recede to (-)4.1 feet on Dec. 28.
Below Cairo, sources reported dredging underway at Lake Providence, La., and at Mile 928. Dredges were operating at Miles 110-111, 153, and 274 of the upper river.
The upper river’s remaining lock closures for the winter navigation season were slated to conclude on Dec. 18, though Locks 11-16 and 18-20 are booked to remain open on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., through March 2024. In addition, Locks 21 and 22 are currently scheduled to pass vessels 24/7.
Intermittent 4-6 hour delays were noted at Lock 27 during the week.
Illinois River:
Illinois River loading weights were reduced by 5-10% due to low water levels, sources said, with draft limits reported at 9.0 feet. Dredging operations continued at Miles 226-228.
Wickets continued in the raised position at both Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock, forcing lockages through both locations. As a result, delays were noted at 7-10 hours at LaGrange. Waits were posted up to 11 hours at Dresden Island Lock, while sporadic five-hour delays were noted through Marseilles Lock. Starved Rock Lock transits peaked at 12 hours on Dec. 11.
Ohio River:
Maximum draft levels were reported at 9.5-11 feet on the Ohio River, depending on location, while tows were restricted to 15 barges.
The main chamber at Montgomery Lock is closed through Dec. 22 for repairs and maintenance, pushing delays to 1-4 days, above 17 hours reported previously. Due to strong outflows, an assist boat was required on southbound lockages through Smithland Lock. Dredging continued at Mile 974, sources said.
The Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock is slated to close for upper guidewall replacement from Jan. 22 through Feb. 15, 2024. Travel was delayed by 4-9 hours at both Kentucky Lock and Wilson Lock during the week.