American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Friday, November 21st, 2025
Effective September 1, 2025, ACBL has implemented our low water protocol based on readings from the Memphis gauge reaching 0′. Please be advised that low water surcharges will be applied in accordance with the terms outlined in your contract. We appreciate your understanding and continued partnership. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your ACBL representative.
- Upper Miss Closeout – ACBL has sent out our annual guidance for final release dates to the Upper Miss and final departure dates off of this river. Click here for our full guidance.
- 2026 Planned Illinois River Lockport Closure – Closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, starting March 31st, 2026, thru May 19th, 2026. Click here for our full guidance.
- Lower Miss Operational Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Loading drafts were reduced to 0.05% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
- Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 9%-14% (4-5 barges)
- Normal Water Stages:
- Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): 20′ – 5′
- Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): 40′ – 20′
- Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): 30′ – 10′
- Low Water Stages:
- Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): Below 5′
- Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): Below 20′
- Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): Below 10′
- For current river stage information, please refer to the links at the bottom of this page.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Allegheny Lock #2 Closure (AR 6.7) – The Lock chamber of Lock #2 will be closed for maintenance starting November 12th expected to end December 20th.
- Portland Canal Main Wall Repairs (OR 606) – Starting October 27th they will begin repairing the main wall of the Portland Canal. They will pass traffic N/B 0700-1000, No traffic will pass from 1000-1500, N/B only from 1500-1900, then all traffic will pass from 1900-0700. They expect this to last until April 2026.
- Fort Madison Railroad Bridge (UM 384) – Beginning September 23rd thru mid-October, there will be intermittent closures due to needed repairs.
- Lock 25 Closure (UM 241) – Closed from 08:00-16:00 on November 20th for Cell Construction.
- Lower Miss Closure (LM 680) – They will begin a Mat Sinking operation starting November 11th thru November 21st. There will be no thru traffic from 0700-1900 each day.
- November 24th thru November 26th, Mat sinking operations will move to LM 222, there will be no thru traffic from 0700-1900 each day.
- November 27th thru December 7th, Mat sinking operations will move to LM 180, Southbound transit will be restricted from 0700-1900 each day. Only one way northbound transit during work hours.
- December 8th thru December 11th, Mat sinking operations will move to LM 156, Southbound transit will be restricted from 0700-1900 each day. Only one way northbound transit for tows under 35ft during work hours.
- Mat sinking operations will continue into January, any delays will be communicated as transit restrictions are finalized
- Dardanelle Lock 10 (AK 205.5) – Scheduled daily closures with 70′ width restrictions from 0700-1900 beginning June 15th thru November 2025 for construction.
- James W. Trimble Lock (AK 292.8) – Scheduled daily closures with 70′ width restrictions from 0700-1900 beginning June 15th thru November 2025 for construction.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) – Beginning in February of 2026 thru August of 2026 there will be daytime closures to repair the river end timber guide wall.
- November 21st 03:00: Passed 12 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 25.4 hours of delay. LPMS shows 8 tows waiting, averaging 31.1 hours of delay.
- Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning in February of 2026 at the earliest there will be two 35-day, Daytime lock closures at the Calcasieu Lock. Expected to last until October. Max width during the nighttime passings will be 54′.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
