US Gulf:
High water levels on the Lower Mississippi River prompted ongoing towing restrictions on northbound travel above New Orleans, slashing maximum barge counts by up to 15%. Resulting delivery delays were reported in a 24-48 hour range.
The Baton Rouge river gauge was posted at an action-stage 30.84 feet on March 28. Levels were predicted to rise to a minor-flood 36.0 feet on April 9.
Maintenance underway at Bayou Sorrel Lock since March 1 was slated to conclude on May 31. The project was reported to limit daytime navigation, triggering intermittent waits up to 11 hours during the week.
Sources reported a Brazos Lock closure running 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, through March 31, with delays noted up to 10 hours. Calcasieu Lock maintenance, scheduled during daytime hours through April 6, resulted in 4-11 hour wait times, according to Corps data.
Starting on April 10, repairs to the Bayou Boeuf north chamber will halt weekday navigation through the site between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Bayou Chene was suggested as an alternate route. The project is scheduled to last until May 12.
Colorado Lock maintenance and repairs are projected to run through April 28, limiting travel between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily. Wait times were reported up to 27 hours during the week. A planned project at the Morgan City Railroad Bridge, located at the Mile 121 in the West Canal, will trigger intermittent travel stoppages between mid-April and the end of June.
Algiers Lock repairs begun on March 20 necessitated Monday-through-Saturday closures between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., anticipated to run through May 4. Waits were reported at 35 hours on March 28.
Port Allen Lock delays were heard up to 14 hours during the week. Waits were reported up to 38 hours at Industrial Lock, while Corps data showed intermittent Harvey Lock wait times up to seven hours on March 28. Boats transiting Brazos Lock were delayed up to 11 hours.
Mississippi River:
High water levels continued on the lower river, prompting delivery delays and a reported 15% reduction in northbound tow sizes.
The river gauge at Vicksburg, posted at an action-stage 35.4 feet and rising on March 29, was expected to crest at 42.5 feet on April 6-7, below the 43.0-foot minor-flood stage. The NWS forecast Memphis levels to peak at an action-stage 28.4 feet on April 2-3.
On the upper river, the Mel Price Lock main chamber was on track to open for spring navigation on March 31, sources said. St. Anthony Falls Lock and Lock 1, both located in the Twin Cities area, were closed to navigation during the week.
Mel Price delays were quoted in a wide 14-81 hour range. Starved Rock Lock, reported as fully returned from seasonal maintenance on March 17, saw wait times as high as 43 hours. Delays were noted up to 11 hours at Lock 14.
Illinois River:
Rising water levels limited barge counts on the Illinois Waterway, sources said. The high levels allowed wickets to remain in the lowered position at Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock, however, facilitating lockless navigation through both locations.
Dredging work was noted kicking off at Dresden Island Lock on March 20. Minimal delays were reported on March 29.
The Illinois River is scheduled to close to commercial navigation for approximately 120 days, starting on June 1. Sources expect normal movements to resume in late September or early October.
Ohio River:
A number of loose barges were reported blocking McAlpine Lock travel on March 28. Nine of the 12 untethered barges were quickly corralled, while the remaining three were reportedly held against the McAlpine dam by the current. Corps data showed at least three industry vessels successfully transiting the lock on the morning of March 29.
High flows necessitated the use of an assist vessel on southbound travel through Smithland Lock during the week, sources said, leading to intermittent 5-14 hour delays. The Smithland land chamber is due to shut Sept. 22 through Oct. 21 for miter gate machinery replacement.
The primary chamber at Hannibal Lock is closed for maintenance through April 7. Waits were quoted up to 10 hours, down from 27 hours at last check. The Greenup Lock main chamber is shut through April 12, while the secondary chamber at Melville Lock is projected to close April 17 through Aug. 4 for maintenance.
Ten-hour waits were observed at the Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock, while boats passing Pickwick Landing Lock waited up to seven hours to pass. Tows transiting Wilson Lock were delayed by 3-11 hours. Sources reported a shutdown at Chickamauga Lock on March 27-29.
Arkansas River:
Interlock system repairs at Maynard Lock were expected to run April 13-14, a change from April 10-14 reported previously.