American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Ohio River Closure at Louisville – Due to a tow breakup early AM Tuesday 3/28, the river and McAlpine Lock (OR 600) are currently closed to southbound transit but have resumed northbound transit.
- 12 barges broke-up, with 10 currently fleeted and stabilized but 2 remaining against the dam.
- One of the barges against the dam is a partially submerged methanol load, which is the focus of industry efforts to stabilize.
- USACE resumed locking northbound last night and is resuming southbound transit today.
- Further information to come as this situation evolves and expect disruption to transit when to be determined salvage operations commence.

Lower Miss River Conditions – Baton Rouge initially reached 28′ on March 2nd and briefly fell to 30.5′ but is on the rise again. Projected to be on a continuous rise until cresting at 36′ April 10th.
- ACBL is currently experiencing tow size reductions of 15% to 25% pending horsepower class. In turn, we expect a negative impact to northbound transit times of 24-48 hours.

2023 Upper Miss Reopening – ACBL has published our reopening plans, including dates upon which we will accept releases to destinations above St. Louis. Click here for the full letter.

Mel Price and Lock 27 Main Chamber Closures – Starting Jan 1, the main chamber at both Mel Price Lock (UM 200) and Lock 27 (UM 185) will be closed for maintenance. While the Auxiliary chamber will be in use, expect 3+ days of delays to transits above St. Louis.
- Lock 27 – Main Chamber back open
- Mel Price – Currently has 15 boats to lock (Current average delay per boat is 40.46 hours). On track to reopen March 31st.

2023 Illinois River 120-Day Closure – ACBL has released our guidance for shipments to/from the Illinois River and Chicago which will be impacted by the lock closures (Marseilles, Dresden Island, and Brandon Road) Jun – Sep 2023. Click Here for our full guidance. Please contact your sales representative if you have further questions.

Hannibal Lock Closure (OR 126) – The primary lock chamber will be closed from February 20th through April 7th from 06:00 – 23:59. Currently experiencing 37.84 hours of delay with 6 boats in queue.

Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock (AK 86.3) – Will be closed to traffic beginning at 7 a.m. on April 10, 2023, until 7 p.m. on April 14, 2023 to allow workers to upgrade the interlock system.

Bayou Sorrel Intermittent Closures (PA 37) – Work has been postponed as of March 17th until the flood side gauge goes below 5’8″. Once work resumes, daily closures will continue from 07:00 – 16:00 Monday thru Friday until sometime in June. Expecting approximately 12 hours of delay to transit for boats transiting the Port Allen Route.

Algiers Lock Repair (WC 0) – USACE report the updated joint repair process requires divers and currently scheduled from March 23rd through May 4th with daily closures from 06:30 through 18:30 Monday through Saturday. Currently experiencing 37 hours of delay with 22 boats in queue.

Bayou Boeuf Lock Repair (WC 94) – Will be closed to navigation beginning April 10th and continuing through May 12th from 07:00 to 16:00, Mondays through Fridays, due to repairs to the deteriorating north chamber timber guide wall.

Calcasieu Lock (WC 241) – Will be closed to navigation beginning January 30th and continuing through April 6th, from 7:00 until 17:00, Mondays through Fridays. Currently experiencing 7 hours of delay with 1 boat in queue.

Colorado Lock Closure (WC 440) – Work at the lock resumed December 5th, 2022, and is projected thru April 28th, 2023 from 07:00 to 19:00.