American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Lower Miss High Water – Baton Rouge reached 28′ on March 2nd and is projected to be on a continuous rise until cresting at 35′ March 21st. Carrolton reached 12′ March 14th with Gulf fleets enacting High Water regulations on the 15th; expected to begin falling on the 23rd and fall below 12′ on the 27th.
- ACBL is currently experiencing northbound tow size reductions of 10% to 15% pending horsepower class. In turn, we expect a negative impact to 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 35 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 15 hours of delay with 5 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 lock 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) – The planned joint repairs at the lock are much more extensive and complicated than originally anticipated. USACE report the updated joint repair process will require divers and currently scheduled for March 20th through May 4th with daily closures from 06:30 through 18:30 Monday through Saturday.

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 9 hours of delay with 9 boats 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.