US Gulf:
Emergency repairs at Port Allen Lock concluded on April 27, sources said, one day ahead of schedule, ending a full closure that stretched back to March 28. Midweek wait times were reported at the 17-hour mark. Lengthy delays continued at Algiers Lock, the primary alternate route for vessels detouring around Port Allen Lock, with waits topping out around 70 hours.
Sources reported long backups at Industrial Lock due to emergency repairs at Demopolis Lock, on the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway, underway since January. Delays were quoted up to 4.5 days during the week, while Corps data showed 25 tows queued to lock through the site on May 1.
Repairs underway at Brazos Lock are projected to run into October, sources said, limiting weekday movements from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Intermittent 5-27 hour delays were reported at Brazos. Colorado Lock waits were noted up to 12 hours.
Guidewall work at Bayou Sorrel Lock limited weekday movements from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., triggering delays up to 22 hours. Harvey Lock transits were quoted up to 24 hours during the week.
Repairs to the Houston-area’s San Jacinto River Bridge kicked off on April 22 and are expected to last 3-4 months. Marine traffic will be limited to a singlewide towing pattern through the western side of the channel for the project’s duration, and travel will be completely unavailable through the channel’s eastern side.
Mississippi River:
High water levels in the St. Louis area impacted tow sizes on the Mississippi River, forcing barge-count reductions of approximately 20% between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, Miss. The reductions were likely to continue through at least the next seven days, sources noted.
Sources reported a full shutdown at Mile 127 of the upper river on May 1, with passage through the area anticipated to remain unavailable for a day or two. Intermittent Lock 19 shutdowns reported on April 29 were expected to continue through May 3.
The St. Louis river gauge was posted at an action-stage 28.8 feet and rising on May 1, with the area projected to crest at a minor-flood 30 feet on May 2-3. On the lower river, the gauge at Baton Rouge, La., was at an action-stage 30.6 feet at midweek. The Vicksburg, Miss., gauge fell below the 35-foot action stage on April 30, but was forecast to return to action stage on May 8.
Dredging reported at Mile 107 is expected to continue through May 26. Lock 27 delays were posted up to eight hours during the week.
Illinois River:
High water levels on the Illinois River restricted tow lengths by 50% above Starved Rock Lock, stretching transit times and increasing lock delays, sources said.
Maximum loading drafts continued at 10 feet in both the northbound and southbound directions below Mile 160. Drafts were reduced to 9.5 feet at Miles 160-231 and nine feet above Mile 231.
Wickets remained down at Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock, allowing tows to pass both sites without locking.
Ohio River:
Water levels continued to decline on the Ohio River, pushing maximum drafts to the 10-11.5 foot range, depending on location and direction of travel, down from 10-12.5 feet at last report. Tow lengths were capped at 15 barges in both directions.
The land chamber at McAlpine Lock closed for maintenance on April 22, sources said, leaving tows to pass through the river chamber until May 3. Minimal delays were reported during the week.
The Willow Island Lock main chamber is offline through May 15 for repairs and maintenance, forcing detours through the auxiliary chamber. Wait times were posted in a wide 27-81 hour range.
Scheduled work underway at Cannelton Lock and Markland Lock was expected to slow movements through both locations until June 7. Markland Lock will see a more intensive shutdown on June 10-28 for miter gate repairs.
Machinery repairs are scheduled for June 1-July 11 at Racine Lock, while slowdowns are anticipated at Hannibal Lock between June 15 and Nov. 7 for dewatering and miter gate repairs. Belleville Lock will undergo alternating 30-day main and auxiliary chamber closures during the second half of the year.
Intermittent 4-7 hour waits were reported at Kentucky Lock on the Tennessee River, while tows needed up to 11 hours to pass Pickwick Landing Lock. The Cumberland River’s Old Hickory Lock is shut to navigation through May 9.
Arkansas River:
Travel through the Van Buren Bridge, at Mile 300.8 of the Arkansas River, will be unavailable on Aug. 16-Sept. 8 for repairs, sources said. Vessels will reportedly be allowed to pass the site following the ninth day of work.