US Gulf:
Emergency repairs at Port Allen Lock underway since March 28 were extended through April 28, sources said. The Corps previously expected the lock to reopen on April 24. Tows are detouring through Algiers Lock while work is underway, but a downed power line at Mile 2.6 reportedly forced a full shutdown at Algiers on April 24-25, pushing delays as high as 77 hours. Work to replace the downed line was expected to conclude on April 25.
Daytime closures continued at Brazos Lock due to a long-term project that kicked off in August 2023. With navigation limited between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., intermittent delays were noted in a wide 4-13 hour range during the week, down from a high of 17 hours at last report.
A guidewall repair project at Bayou Sorrel Lock is scheduled to run through Oct. 30, halting movements from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with minimal delays reported. Bridge repairs at Mile 63 of the Port Allen Route were due to shut the area to vessel traffic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 22, 24, and 26, sources said.
A Coast Guard posting reported shoaling in the Galveston Harbor Channel at Lighted Buoy 1 and Galveston Light 3; in the Houston Ship Channel between the Beltway 8 Bridge and Houston Ship Channel Light 146; at the Galveston Harbor from Grasso Marine Dock Light to Pelican Island Bridge; and in the Galveston Harbor from Galveston Dock 35 to Gulf Sulfur Services T-Head.
Dredging in the Pascagoula Ship Channel’s Horn Island Pass was slated to continue through April 27, prompting caution warnings on area travel. International Lock movements were delayed up to 4.5 days during the week, with sources reporting 46 tows in line to lock on April 25. Harvey Lock passages required up to 21 hours to conclude.
Mississippi River:
High water levels continued to impact travel on the Lower Mississippi River. Sources reported varied towing restrictions based on vessel horsepower, with delays running up to three days as a result.
The river gauge at Vicksburg, Miss., returned an action-stage 35.6-foot reading at midweek, following an April 21 crest at 36.02 feet. Forecasters expected the gauge to drop out of action stage late on April 28, and an April 23 flood warning for the area was slated to expire on April 28. The Baton Rouge, La., gauge was noted at an action-stage 31 feet on April 25, but was predicted to fall below the 30-foot action stage on May 2.
Dredging at Mile 107 is scheduled to continue through May 26.
Illinois River:
Maximum loading drafts on the Illinois River were set at 10 feet in both the northbound and southbound directions below Mile 160, sources noted. Draft limits were reduced to 9.5 feet at Miles 160-231 and nine feet above Mile 231.
Wickets remained in the lowered position at both Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock during the week, prompting tows to pass both sites via their navigational passes.
Ohio River:
Water levels on the Ohio River were on the decline, sources said. The Cincinnati river gauge fell below the 40-foot action stage on April 20 and was posted at 30.8 feet by midweek.
Sources reported a 12% reduction in southbound loading drafts. Maximum drafts were clocked at 10-12.5 feet, depending on location and direction of travel, while tow lengths topped out at 15 barges in both directions.
The main chamber at Willow Island Lock shut for scheduled maintenance on April 15, leaving passage available solely through the auxiliary chamber until May 15. Wait times were posted up to 79 hours on April 25.
Scheduled maintenance kicked off on April 22 at Cannelton Lock and Markland Lock. The project is expected to slow movements at both sites through June 7. Markland Lock will see an additional closure on June 10-28 for miter gate repairs.
Machinery repairs at Racine Lock are slated for June 1-July 11, while delays are likely at Hannibal Lock from June 15 to Nov. 7 for dewatering and miter gate repairs. Belleville Lock will see alternating 30-day main and auxiliary chamber shutdowns during the second half of the year.
Sporadic 4-7 hour waits were noted at the Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock during the week. Old Hickory Lock, on the Cumberland River, is closed to navigation through May 9.
Arkansas River:
Van Buren Bridge repairs scheduled for Aug. 16-Sept. 8 will completely close the site to navigation. The Corps is reportedly planning a single opening to pass waiting vessels following the ninth day of work. The bridge is located at Mile 300.8 of the Arkansas River.