American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Louisville Bridges (OR602)– The section of the Ohio River between miles 580-609 will be shut down due to a firework display. The Shutdown will start Friday 04/19, 11am until 18:00 and Saturday 04/20, 06:00 until 23:59. All river operations in the Louisville area will seize until the reopening.

Lower Miss Rising River Conditions – Due to the forecasted river staged 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.

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.

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. Currently the lock has passed 8 tows in the last 24 hours that averaged 8.97 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 8 tows that have averaged 12.45 hours of delay. Since April 16^th we have passed 13 tows that have averaged 9.03 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.

Port Allen Emergency Closure (PA 63) – As of 03/28 P.M. there has been an emergency closure for repairs that is expected to last until April 28th.

LA HWY 1 Bridge Closure (PA 63) – There are three closures planned on April 22nd, 24th, and 26th respectively from 19:00 to 07:00 to support repairs.

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.

Industrial Lock Closure (EC 0.0) – There was an additional closure the morning of April 14th that lasted until noon on April 15th. April 19^th 07:00 Passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours that averaged 75.31 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 47 tows that have averaged 40.17 hours of delay.

Algiers Lock Delays (AC 0.0) – Due to the repairs in Port Allen, there are significant delays to transit at Algiers. April 19^th 07:00 Passed 19 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 34.37 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 44 tows waiting that have averaged 20.42 hours of delay.

Bayou Boeuf Closure (WC 94) – Due to the emergency repairs at Port Allen, this closure has been postponed until further notice.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and the completion of the work is unknown at this time. The daily closures from 07:00 to 19:00 to facilitate repairs are ongoing. April 19^th 07:00 Passed 19 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 1.31 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 0 tows waiting that have averaged 0.00 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.

Legend