American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

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.

2025 Planned Illinois River Lock Port Closure – The closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, starting January 14th, 2025, through March 11th, 2025. The purpose of this closure is for the installation of the new Vertical Lift Gates, and sill & seal modifications and repairs. This closure will inhibit the ability to move barges from the Illinois to Chicago and Chicago to Illinois.
- 2025 Illinois River Lockport Closure – American Commercial Barge Line (bargeacbl.com

Lower Miss Low Water 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 24% NBD Gulf to Cairo, 20% SBD Cairo to Greenville, and 16% SBD Greenville to the Gulf.
    - Approx. reduction of 600 tons per barge NBD, 500 tons per barge SBD to Greenville, and 400 tons per barge SBD from Greensville to the Gulf.
  - Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14-25%, or 5-10 barges.
  - Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.

Monongahela River – Lock 3 construction is still ongoing with another interruption that has delayed the reopening to the end of this week, 09/01. Currently there are timber piles that are obstructing the canal. Once reopened the draft will be set back to a 9′.0″ restriction.

McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – Starting July 8th thru November 30th starting at 07:00 to 19:00 / up to 10 hours a day, there will be daily closures to downbound traffic while work is being conducted with normal operations resuming in the evening.

Markland Lock Closure (OR 531) – The main chamber is currently back open and is expected to shut back down September 8th thru October 6th. All traffic will pass through the Auxiliary Chamber during the respective closures.

Hannibal Lock Closure (OR 126) – The primary chamber will be down for maintenance work from June 3rd to November 8th starting 06:00 to 23:59. The auxiliary chamber will remain open to navigation during that period, but there will be instances announced in advance where both chambers are closed for up to 12 hours to facilitate concrete placement. September 5^th 07:00 Passed 7 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 16.21 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 9 tows waiting that have averaged 7.86 hours of delay.

Dredge Potter (LM 928) – The dredge relocated over the weekend slightly downriver and does not anticipate any additional closures through the remainder of the project.

Milton Bell Revetment (LM 908) – There are ongoing daily southbound closures to southbound traffic from 06:00 to 18:00 that started September 2nd and is expected thru the 6th. The MSU will transition to Sunrise over the weekend.

Sunrise Revetment (LM 775) – There will be daily southbound closures to southbound traffic from 06:00 to 18:00 to start after the Milton Bell work is complete. Expected 5-day project.

Dredge Jadwin (LM 735) – The dredge began rolling 24-hour closures September 2nd. This project is expected to be a five-day job and is expected to be complete before the revetment project begins at Sunrise. Once this project is complete, the dredge will reposition to Island 30 (LM 785).

Dredge Hurley (LM 541) – The dredge is expected to mobilize to Tarpley Saturday morning and have rolling 24-hour closures through the project.

Convent Pipeline Removal (LM 158) – There will be an approximate 37-day project to take place starting August 18th thru September 24th. There are no expected closures at this time, but industry expects restricted movement through the area as work progresses.

Webbers Falls Lock Closure (AK 366) – Tulsa District USACE is scheduling a complete maintenance closure of Webbers Falls L&D 16, from the 26th of August through 8 September 2024 to inspect downstream miter gates. Intermittent delays are expected to occur in the weeks preceding the closure as well.

Van Buren Bridge Closure (AK 300) – Rehabilitation work began August 22nd and is expected thru September 8th from 05:00 to 17:00. During this time the bridge will remain in the lowered position. However, onsite crews will attempt to clear traffic on day 9 or 10 while test lifts are being conducted. Additionally, shuttle barges will be permitted to pass beneath the closed span while the navigation span is clear of equipment.

Gross Tete Bridge Closure (PA 47) – There will be a closure September 12th from 07:00 to 17:00 to facilitate repairs for the bridge. There will also be closures September 9th thru the 11th from 06:00 to 08:00 and 14:30 to 16:30 for testing.

Bayou Sorrel Lock Closure (PA 37) – Daily closures Monday through Friday resumed June 26th, 2023, through February 2025, to facilitate guide wall repairs from 07:00 to 16:00. Project was available all day 9/5.September 6^th 07:00 Passed 18 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 0.54 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 1.73 hours of delay.

Algiers Lock Closure (AC 0.0) – The lock will be closed to navigation on September 17th and 18th from 07:00 to 19:00 for construction work.

Harvey Lock Closure (WC 0.0) – As of August 19th, the lock is closed until further notice due to low water and reverse head conditions.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and is expected to last thru October 2024. Project was unavailable 22:08 9/4–03:40 9/5, then again 06:43-17:51 9/5. LPMS is not showing any transits since 04:40 9/6. September 6^th 04:40 Passed 17 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 6.03 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 3 tows waiting that have averaged 8.21 hours of delay.

John C Stennis Lock Closure (TT 334) – There will be a 30-day closure starting September 4th at 06:00 until October 3rd at 06:00.

Aberdeen Lock Closure (TT 357) – There will be a 30-day closure starting September 5th at 06:00 until October 4th at 06:00.

Holt Lock & Dam Closure (WT 347) – The lock has been closed to transit since June 22nd at 12:00 due to cracking that was previously being monitored. Currently, repairs are expected to take up to five months to complete.

Legend