American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Friday, December 12th, 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.
- Chester Bridge Closures (UM 109.9) – Closures due to construction on the following dates from 0700-1300 each day:
- December 12th
- December 16th
- 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.
- Weather Conditions on the Illinois River – Due to river conditions, as of December 5th ice couplings are now required at various locks on the Illinois. Pictures of conditions at the bottom of page.
- 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 9% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
- Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 21%-27% (7-10 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.
- Kentucky Lock Closure (TR 22.3) – Intermittent daytime closures will take place December 14th thru December 18th from 0600-1800 for valve repairs.
- December 12th 03:00: Passed 5 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 8.9 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 15.5 hours of delay.
- Dredging Near Bayou Sorrel Lock (PA 34-36):
- Dredge Robert M. White will operate from December 11th thru December 20th on the Morgan City–Port Allen alternate route.
- Channel closures will occur in 5-hour intervals, with traffic cleared between closures.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) –
- An emergency 8-hour closure will occur December 13th from 0700-1500 for repair work
- Beginning in February 2026 thru August 2026 there will be daytime closures to repair the river end timber guide wall.
- Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning in February 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:
