St. Louis—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on April 18 said eight Mississippi River locks between Muscatine, Iowa, and Clarksville, Mo., were expected to close beginning on that date, as recent heavy rains pushed the river above flood stage. The lock closures were expected to take place over a four-day period and could extend into the following week, which will prevent the movement of barges carrying fertilizer and grain in that section of the river. Barge navigation south of St. Louis, Mo., was expected to remain open. River levels at Clarksville were expected to reach 32.5 feet late on April 19, about seven feet above flood stage and the point at which the lock closure would take effect. Levels there were expected to climb to 35.6 feet on April 21, more than 10 feet above flood stage and just 2.1 feet short of the record crest at that location. River levels at Muscatine were forecast to reach 21.9 feet by April 22, nearly six feet above flood stage and 3.7 feet short of the record at that location. The Corps projected lock closures to take place on April 18 at Locks 17, 20, 21, and 22. Closures at Locks 16, 18, and 19 were scheduled for April 19, while Lock 15 was expected to close on April 21.
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