American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
Due to recent heavy rainfall, the Ohio and Lower Miss Rivers have been experiencing a historical flooding event. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the entire region, with water levels expected to continue rising. As a result, we anticipate the following disruptions:
USCG Lock Restrictions/Closures:
- Lower Miss River:
- Daylight restrictions are in effect southbound through all bridges in the system.
- Daylight restrictions are in effect at Vicksburg (LM 435).
- Baton Rouge requires an assist boat when the river reaches 35′ through the Baton Rouge bridges, it is currently 40’ and rising.
- Upper Miss River:
- Daylight restrictions are in effect southbound through Cape Girardeau
Dock and Port Services: Flooding conditions will cause some docks and fleeting locations to suspend operations. For questions regarding individual locations, please reach out to your local contacts.
We understand that these disruptions may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Our team is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions change.
If you have any questions regarding freight destined to the Ohio or Lower Miss Rivers or need further assistance, please contact your Salesperson or Customer Experience Specialist.
- Lower Miss Operational Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
- Loading drafts were reduced to 20% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
- Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 53-60% (15-16 barges)
- Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
- Lock & Dam 19 Closure (UM 364.2) – Scheduled daily closures June 3rd thru June 5th, from 0800-1200 each day to allow maintenance.
- McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – Beginning April 29th thru June 27th, there will be intermittent daytime closures for southbound traffic from 0700 to 1900, Monday through Saturday, to facilitate work on the Portland Canal wall. Northbound traffic will be permitted to transit, provided there are no divers in the water. April 30th 07:00: Passed 7 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 0.3 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0 hours of delay.
- New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – A scheduled primary chamber closure began at 0600 on February 28th thru May 28th to facilitate repairs. April 30th 07:00: Passed 3 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 0.6 hours of delay. LPMS shows 1 tow waiting, averaging 12.0 hours of delay.
- Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) -Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due to cracks in miter gate pintle, repair time is now extended to July 2025. April 30th 07:00, 1 tow passed in the last 24 hours, averaging 315.20 hours of delay. LPMS shows 35 tows waiting, which has an average of 226.5 hours of delay.
- Kentucky Lock Closure (TR 22.4) – Intermittent daily closures for repairs have been cancelled. There will be a full closure now beginning May 2nd at 0600 thru May 15th at 1800.
- Cheatham Lock Closure (CR 148.7) – Lock will be closed for scheduled repairs from March 3rd thru May 29th, 2025, with interim openings:
- Opening 4: May 1st starting at 1800 thru May 5th at 0600.
- Opening 5: May 15th starting at 1800 thru May 19th at 0600.
- Algiers Canal Closures (AC 3.8) –
- Old Hwy 23 Lift Bridge will be closed for 24 hours beginning at 0700 on May 8th thru May 9th.
- The daytime closures scheduled to occur Monday through Saturday, from 0630 to 1900, starting May 12th thru August 2025, have been put on hold.
- April 30th 07:00: Passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 5.9 hours of delay. LPMS shows 13 tows waiting, which has an average of 21.5 hours of delay.
- Morley Lift Bridge Closures (PA 56) – There will be scheduled intermittent closures for several repairs:
- May 1st: 16-hour closure from 1900-1100
- May 15th: 16-hour closure from 1900-1100
- May 22nd: 16-hour closure from 1900-1100
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock) – (EC001) – April 30th 07:00: Passed 6 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 46.1 hours of delay. LPMS shows 33 tows waiting, averaging 55.8 hours of delay.
- Colorado River Locks (WC 440) – The East and West locks will have daytime restrictions Monday through Friday, January 29th thru May 16th. April 30th 07:00: Passed 15 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 5.85 hours of delay. LPMS shows 5 tows waiting, which has an average of 12.35 hours of delay.
- Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closures, originally scheduled from August 31, 2023, to April 30, 2025, have been extended through June 30, 2025. Closures will occur Monday through Friday from 0700 to 1900. April 30th 07:00: Passed 19 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 12.6 hours of delay. LPMS shows 2 tows waiting, averaging 35.0 hours of delay.
- Leland Bowman Lock Closure (WC 163) – Daytime closures Monday thru Friday, from 0700-18:30, beginning March 24th thru April 25th for various repairs. As of April 21st, it has been decided 2 weeks of additional daytime closures are needed, dates are TBD. April 30th 07:00: Passed 16 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 0.5 hours of delay. LPMS shows 1 tow waiting, averaging 13.0 hours of delay.
