U.S. Gulf and Atlantic: A West Canal closure at Miles 21-33, responsible for large-scale detours through the Port Allen Route, was projected to conclude as early as Oct. 29. The shutdown, in place since late August due to extensive shoaling and debris buildup during Hurricane Ida, was believed to cause delays of 1-2 days between NOLA and Houston.
Emergency Bayou Sorrel Lock repairs were expected to trigger intermittent shutdowns through an estimated Nov. 1. Work at the site was scheduled daily between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Delays of up to 48 hours were reported for the week.
Travel remained unavailable at Bayou Lafourche, between Lockport and the West Canal, due to ongoing hurricane cleanup efforts.
Bayou Chene was shut to overnight movements due to floodgate construction, closing the channel between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. nightly. Additional restrictions also remained in place, including tow lengths capped at 600 feet, while tows above 54 feet in width were required to use an assist vessel. Waits were heard in a general 6-12 hour range for the week.
Drafts were limited to 10 feet at Miles 113-115 on the Atchafalaya River in the Morgan City area, due to shoaling and channel degradation. Lengths were limited to 600 feet, while tows longer than 400 feet were advised to use an assist vessel. Towing widths were noted at a maximum 70 feet. Vessels were advised to avoid the restrictions by traveling through the Port Allen Route instead.
With the Port Allen Route continuing to act as the primary alternative route for the West Canal and associated waterways, wait times were quoted up to 52 hours for the week, edging toward the bottom end of the previous week’s 50-75 hour range.
Tows passing Algiers Lock without an assist vessels were generally limited to four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers. Larger configurations remained available when traveling with assistance.
Replacement work in progress at the Belle Chasse Bridge was expected to prompt sporadic shutdowns of up to 12 hours at a time through late 2022. The structure is located at Mile 3 in the West Canal.
Bayou Boeuf Lock travel was noted available on weekdays from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with 24-hour access possible on Saturday and Sunday. Minimal delays were reported for the week.
Industrial Lock delays were generally noted around six hours, with intermittent delays spiking to the 13-24 hour range.
Mississippi River:
Rock-laying efforts that kicked off on Oct. 20 at Mile 671 on the lower Mississippi River were expected to run through Oct. 29-31, blocking southbound transit between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Channel clearance efforts by the Dredge Hurley continued to be reported at Mile 293, with minimal delays expected.
Barges loading from NOLA and destined for upper Mississippi River locations at Iowa or below were expected to begin final releases in second-half October. Material traveling above Iowa was generally heard carrying a first-half October cutoff, although tons loading from upriver locations were expected to continue releasing into November.
Upper river seasonal closures were scheduled to begin with Locks 5A, 8, and 10 on Nov. 28, followed by Locks 4, 5, and 7 which were due to shut on Dec. 6. Locks 15 and 24 were slated to close for the winter on Jan. 1, with Lock 24 tentatively returning to service on Jan. 31.
Lock 15 is due to come online on March 3, while Locks 5 and 7 are scheduled to return on March 11. Locks 5A, 8, and 10 are due to open six days later on March 17, followed by Lock 4 on March 21.
Illinois River:
Elevated water levels and fast flows restricted barge counts on the Illinois Waterway during the week. Starved Rock Lock was heard temporarily closing to navigation due to the conditions.
Ohio River:
The primary chamber at Cannelton Lock was projected to be offline through Nov. 19 due to repairs that began on June 21, leaving boats to pass the site through the secondary chamber. The secondary chamber was also due to shut intermittently for maintenance on Nov. 1-19, potentially setting up complete navigation stoppages at the site.
Planned work on the Montgomery Lock main chamber, previously scheduled to begin on Oct. 18, was delayed until Oct. 29. The project remained on track to conclude on Dec. 17, with detours through the secondary chamber necessary for the duration. Lengthy delays are expected.
The Hannibal Lock main chamber was scheduled to reopen on Oct. 29 after planned repairs. Detours were reported through the site’s 600-foot secondary chamber while work was underway.
The Willow Island Lock primary chamber shutdown was scheduled to remain in effect through Oct. 31, necessitating movements through the auxiliary chamber. The auxiliary chamber at Markland Lock was tentatively scheduled to return to service on Oct. 29, ending a period of main chamber-only navigation stretching back to first-half 2020.
The Tennessee River’s Wilson Lock continued to operate on a staggered one-way locking pattern. Operators were noted passing southbound tows during daylight hours, while northbound movements were available overnight. As a result, intermittent wait times were reported as high as 23 hours for the week, rising from 20 hours in the prior report.
Kentucky Lock is scheduled to completely shut to navigation from Nov. 1 through Dec. 10, with a temporary reopening planned for Nov. 25-28 to pass assembled vessels. Barkley Lock was suggested as an alternate route during the shutdown. Kentucky Lock delays were quoted up to 27 hours for the week.
The Allegheny River’s Lock 6 will remain shut to navigation indefinitely due to miter gate damage.
Arkansas River:
Emmett Sanders Lock reportedly experienced intermittent travel shutdowns between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., on Oct. 26-28.