U.S. Gulf: Market sources continued to describe inflated barge freight out of NOLA. Rates were quoted as high as $16/st to St. Louis, Mo., and $27/st to Cincinnati, Ohio, though sources cautioned that these numbers represented the extreme high side of the spot freight market. Barges from NOLA to Catoosa, Okla., and St. Paul, Minn., were spotted up to $32/st and $33/st, respectively.
Gulf water levels were dropping last week, falling nearly three feet from the previous report. Depths at New Orleans were reported at 11.9 feet and dropping on Aug. 13, although shippers said another week of high-water restrictions would likely cap tow lengths. Extra pickup and drop-off delays will continue as long as restrictions are in place, shippers said.
Delays at Industrial Lock were reported in the 24-36 hour range last week on an average of 20 boats queued, and Algiers Lock wait times clocked in at 20-24 hours with 19 vessels in line. Wait times at Bayou Sorrel Lock, which is undergoing Monday-Thursday guide wall repairs through Aug. 15, were reported at 16-18 hours. Vessels waited 1-2 hours to traverse Port Allen Lock.
Following the current round of repairs, Bayou Sorrel Lock will shutter completely through Oct. 15 for dewatering, maintenance, and repair operations. Vessels are slated to detour through Algiers lock in the West Canal, and significant delays are anticipated.
Singlewide traffic restrictions continued in the westbound direction through Calcasieu Lock last week, as dolphin construction on the lock’s east side is expected to last through approximately Sept. 15.
Lower Mississippi River: Minor-stage flood warnings at Red River Landing were scheduled to be lifted on Aug. 15, shippers said. The Lower Mississippi River’s Extreme High Water Safety Advisory remained in place for Miles 303-869, however, setting a floor of 280 horsepower per barge and a maximum tow length of 36 barges.
High-water restrictions at Baton Rouge were forecast to remain in effect through Aug. 15-16. The Baton Rouge gauge read 32.1 feet and falling on Aug. 13, with the Corps originally planning to ease restrictions once levels dipped below the 35-foot mark. Restrictions require that tow vessels maintain a minimum of 240 horsepower per barge on tows no longer than 36 barges. Sources reported pickup and drop-off delays resulting from the restrictions.
Intermittent daylight closures were reported at Mile 643 as mat-laying and weir dike construction continues through Oct. 8. Similar operations and closures are scheduled at Mile 893 on Sept. 5-12, Mile 714 on Sept. 17-22, and Mile 418 on Nov. 11-17.
Big Island Bendway weir construction is expected to limit daytime navigation at Mile 600 through early September. Queued traffic will be allowed to transit the site nightly before the following day’s construction begins.
Upper Mississippi River: Tow restrictions lingered last week in the St. Louis area despite river levels dropping well-below the 25-foot mark. Levels were at 15.2 feet and rising on Aug. 13, and were forecast to crest at 16.0 feet around Aug. 15-16. Conditions have prompted tow cuts of up to five barges between Cairo and St. Louis on a boat-by-boat basis.
Lock 27 navigation delays were reported at 2-4 hours on a three-boat average queue, sources said. Passage through Lock 20 was delayed by about an hour.
Lift gate wire inspection closed the Mel Price Lock main chamber on Aug. 11, temporarily interrupting transit. The lock’s auxiliary chamber remains offline.
Illinois River: Peoria and Lagrange Locks, open for transit without locking in recent weeks, could return to operation on Aug. 13 and 15, respectively, according to river forecasts.
Marseilles Lock saw delays of about an hour for the week, and