US Gulf:
Algiers Lock returned from gate repairs on Nov. 29, ahead of the site’s planned Dec. 1 reopening date. Vessels were previously routed through the Port Allen Route while work was underway, adding an estimated 24-48 hours to travel times.
Bayou Sorrel Lock travel was unavailable from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for guidewall repairs, triggering delays of 5-36 hours. Tows arriving prior to 4:30 p.m. were permitted to pass before the lock shuts the next morning, sources said, though the closures were expected to pause whenever wait times lift above 24 hours. Southbound lockages were given preference during daytime hours, while northbound tows were prioritized overnight.
Harvey Lock saw lengthy delays due to low head conditions, with Corps data showing many tows waiting 2-3 days to lock, up from 35 hours at last report. Tow lengths at Harvey were limited to 300 feet when head conditions fall below 1.5 feet, while widths were held to 70 feet. Reverse head conditions shut the lock completely between June 15 and Oct. 16.
Daytime shutdowns at Brazos Lock were scheduled to wrap up on Nov. 29, ending a period of delays reported up to 24 hours. Slow-travel warnings at Bayou Chene, in place due to dredging, were slated to expire on Nov. 30.
Port Allen Lock wait times were reported in a 2-4 day range due to lingering congestion from the shutdown at Algiers Lock, and Corps data showed 29 vessels queued to lock on Nov. 30. Midweek Industrial Lock waits peaked at 18 hours, while intermittent five-hour delays were noted at Calcasieu Lock. Tows transiting Colorado Lock waited up to eight hours to pass.
Mississippi River:
Sources reported ongoing towing restrictions on the Mississippi River due to low water levels. Northbound tows saw loading drafts reduced by 20-25% on the lower river, unchanged from the prior report, while southbound barge drafts were cut by 15-20%, improving from 20-25% at last report. Towing widths between Cairo, Ill., and NOLA were reported at six barges, a 15-25% reduction from the typical 7-8 barge widths, depending on vessel horsepower.
The river gauge at Memphis, Tenn., on Nov. 30 was noted above the (-)5.0-foot low stage at (-)4.5 feet, though forecasters anticipated depths falling to (-)10.3 feet on Dec. 14. Sources previously expected towing widths on the lower river to slide to five barges, down from the current six-barge limit, when Memphis levels dip below the (-)8.0-foot mark. The gauge at Vicksburg, Miss., was noted at a low-stage 4.1 feet at midweek.
Maximum drafts were reduced by 10-15% on travel through the St. Louis harbor, while loading weights were capped at 90-95% of normal between Cairo and St. Louis. The St. Louis gauge stood at (-)1.7 feet on Nov. 30, above the (-)5.0-foot forecast for Dec. 14.
Dredging reported at Miles 738 and 486 of the lower river was expected to conclude during the week. On the upper river, sources noted dredging at Miles 274, 171-173, and 80-95.
Wait times were reported up to five hours at Lock 25. Corps data showed intermittent seven-hour delays at Lock 27.
Upper-river locks 2-4, 7, 17, and the railroad bridge at Mile 535 are scheduled to close for the winter navigation season from December through mid-March 2024. Locks 11-16 and 18-20 are currently expected to pass vessels on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., conditions permitting, while Locks 21 and 22 will pass vessels 24/7.
Illinois River:
Illinois River loading weights were cut by 5-10% due to low water levels, with maximum drafts reported at nine feet on Nov. 29. Dredging continued at Miles 226-228, sources said.
Wickets were raised at Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock, forcing tows to lock through both locations. Waits ran up to nine hours at Peoria Lock, while Corps data showed scattered seven-hour delays at LaGrange Lock. Tows waited up to 10 hours to pass Dresden Island Lock.
Ohio River:
Sources noted Ohio River loading drafts rising to 10.5 feet at most locations, up from 9-10 feet reported previously. Tows were limited to 15 barges, regardless of the direction of travel.
The Montgomery Lock auxiliary chamber was closed to traffic on Nov. 22-26, after which the site’s main chamber was scheduled to shut from Nov. 26 through Dec. 22. A planned Nov. 13-22 closure at Olmsted Lock was delayed indefinitely, sources said.
The Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock is set to close for upper guidewall replacement between Jan. 22 through Feb. 15, 2024. Wait times were reported up to 16 hours at Kentucky Lock, while Wilson Lock delays were counted up to 23 hours.