U.S. Gulf: Elevated water levels in the Gulf shipping region continued to recede last week. The New Orleans gauge read 14.8 feet and falling on Aug. 6, and high-water restrictions limiting tow lengths were expected to persist for another two weeks, leading shippers to warn of extended delays picking up and dropping off barges.
Industrial Lock wait times were called 24-26 hours for the week on 21 vessels queued. Boats navigating Algiers Lock required 10-12 hours for passage, and guide wall repairs at Bayou Sorrel Lock, slated to run through Aug. 15, pushed waits to 10-12 hours for the week. Daylight transits will be unavailable at Bayou Sorrel Monday through Thursday while work is underway. Port Allen Lock delays were pegged at 2-4 hours.
The Bayou Sorrel Locks system will be offline Aug. 15 through Oct. 15 for dewatering, repairs, and maintenance operations. Navigation will be rerouted through Algiers lock while the work is performed, and significant delays are expected due to the extra traffic entering and exiting the West Canal.
Westbound traffic through the West Canal’s Calcasieu Lock was restricted to singlewide tows thanks to ongoing dolphin construction on the east side of the lock. Delays are to be expected Monday through Friday through Sept. 15.
Lower Mississippi River: Minor-to-moderate stage flooding was described at Natchez, Red River Landing, and Baton Rouge.
Persistent high water extended an Extreme High Water Safety Advisory for Miles 303-869. Restrictions included a minimum of 280 towing horsepower per barge and a maximum of 36 barges per tow.
Baton Rouge levels continued to descend slowly last week, and were called 37.3 feet and falling on Aug. 6. High-water restrictions setting a minimum 240 horsepower per barge tow threshold on no more than 36 barge per tow were expected to remain in place for an additional two weeks. Sources reported barge pickup and drop-off delays resulting from the restrictions.
Mat-laying and weir dike construction at Mile 643, scheduled to run through Oct. 8, caused intermittent closures. Similar work is expected to trigger sporadic daytime navigation hiccups at Mile 893 on Sept. 5-12, at Mile 714 on Sept. 17-22, and at Mile 418 on Nov. 11-17.
Weir construction at Big Island Bendway, expected to kick off during the first week of August, will last 25-30 days, shippers said. Daylight navigation will be unavailable, necessitating vessels to transit the area nightly.
Upper Mississippi River: A weeks-long nighttime restriction on tows greater than 600 feet traveling through the St. Louis harbor was lifted last week thanks to river levels falling below the 25-foot mark. However, tow sizes were still being reduced by up to five barges between Cairo and St. Louis on a boat-by-boat basis. The St. Louis gauge read 21.3 feet and falling on Aug. 6.
Navigation delays of 2-4 hours were reported at Lock 20, and shippers estimated Lock 27 wait times at one hour for the week.
The main chamber at Mel Price Lock will be offline 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Aug. 11 for lift gate wire inspection. The site’s auxiliary chamber will be unavailable as well.
Illinois River: Navigation conditions on the Illinois River were much improved last week, shippers reported, despite reports of minor-stage flooding at Havana, Beardstown, and Valley City. Much of the river’s recent congestion had also thinned.
The Peoria and LaGrange Locks were not locking last week, allowing vessels to pass freely.
Ohio River: The second round of repairs at Emsworth Lock began Aug. 3, and are scheduled to run through Sept. 18. Main chamber operations will be unavailable during that time, forcing traffic through the auxiliary chamber instead. Delays of