American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Illinois River High Water (IR231-279) Due to highwater, there has been a 50 percent reduction in tow size Starved Rock north. This will increase transit times on the IR and create lock delays Starved Rock north due to high flows. These conditions are expected to last over the next 7 days.

Lower Miss River Conditions – Due to the forecasted river stage and current operating conditions, ACBL has implemented tow-size restrictions varying across horsepower class. This reduction is expected to delay transit by 48-to-72 hours.

Highwater Upper Miss (UM01-200) Due to highwater Saint Louis south will create delays getting in and out of fleets and increasing transit times. Currently there is a 20 percent reduction in tow size on the Upper Miss STL thru Cape both directions. Due to these conditions, our vessels will only operate daytime hours through Cape. These conditions are expected to last over the next 7 days.

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.

McAlpine (OR606): Land chamber closed for maintenance April 22^nd through May 3^rd. April 30^th 07:00 Currently the lock has passed 17 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 1.54 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 0.05 hours of delay. Since April 22^nd the lock has passed 119 tows that have averaged 0.74 hours of delay.

Tell City / Hawesville Delays (OR 729) – There are no local port service providers in the areas of Hawesville and Tell City causing delays for local docks receiving barges.

Willow Island Lock Closure (OR 161) – As of April 15th through May 15th the main chamber will be closed for scheduled maintenance. The auxiliary chamber will be available for lockage until maintenance is complete. April 30^th 07:00 Currently has passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours that averaged 42.02 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 11 tows that have averaged 33.16 hours of delay. Since April 16^th the lock has passed 149 tows that have averaged 49.23 hours of delay.

Van Buren Bridge Closure (AK 300) – Work has been rescheduled again to start on August 16th and will last approximately 18 days. Traffic is expected to be cleared after the ninth day. Vessels will also be allowed to transit when the span is clear of equipment.

Bayou Sorrel Lock Closure (PA 37) – Daily closures Monday through Friday resumed June 26th, 2023, through October 30th, 2024, to facilitate guide wall repairs from 07:00 to 16:00. Additionally, the lock was unavailable 23:40 4/29-16:41 4/30. May 1^st 07:00 Passed 8 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 14.45 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 7 tows waiting that have averaged 5.03 hours of delay.

Industrial Lock Closure (EC 0.0) –Lock was unavailable 05:11-08:09, then again from 14:48-17:55 for bridge hours. Will continue to track delays until Demopolis opens and queue subsides. May 1^st 07:00 Passed 18 tows in the last 24 hours that averaged 41.12 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 20 tows that have averaged 30.35 hours of delay.

Algiers Lock Delays (AC 0.0) – Delay due to Port Allen being closed 3/29 – 4/28. Port Allen Lock opened ~11.00 4/27. Will continue to track delays until queue subsides. May 1^st 07:00 Passed 17 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 66.49 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 28 tows waiting that have averaged 27.95 hours of delay.

Bayou Boeuf Closure (WC 94) – Due to the emergency repairs at Port Allen, this closure was postponed. Work is expected to resume toward the end of May / beginning of June for 30-days with daily closures Monday thru Friday from 07:00 to 18:00. There will be two additional 83-hour closures during that 30-day window with dates to be determined.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Weekday closures 07:00-19:00starting August 31^st, 2023 through October 2024. Project was unavailable 08:23-16:04 4/30. May 1^st 07:00 Passed 24 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 7.69 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 3 tows waiting that have averaged 1.20 hours of delay.

Demopolis Lock Closure (WT 213) – Closed to traffic for emergency repairs starting January 16th. Repairs are expected to complete by the end of May.
- Barge loadings below the closure to go north, or above the closure where the empty is typically sourced below, should be addressed with your salesperson as to cancelation, make up, or alternative plans. Barge loadings that are serviced from unloads above will continue. However, we are experiencing delays getting empties positioned and loads picked up, and delays up to two weeks are possible.

Norfolk Southern Bridge Outage (WT 267) – There was an unexpected outage due to issues occurring during a planned maintenance period on March 28th. Repairs began April 4th with openings to traffic from 09:00 to 11:00 and 16:30 to 18:30.

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