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, was delayed and is now scheduled to start January 28th, 2025, through March 25th, 2025. The initial advisory regarding releases has been revised as of November 7th. Please see the advisory below.
- 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

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 16% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
  - Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14-25% (5-14 barges)
  - Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.

McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – The work starting July 8th thru November 30th has been temporarily suspended as of October 7th.

Hannibal Lock Closure (OR 126) – The primary chamber will be down for maintenance work from June 3rd to November 30th, 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. November 20^th 07:00 Passed 9 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 4.79 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 4 tows waiting that have averaged 1.54 hours of delay.

Pike Island Lock Closure (OR84.3) – Main chamber closure starting November 18th at 0600 until December 23rd for structural upgrades and to repower the hydraulic system. The auxiliary chamber will be open for lockage. November 20^th 07:00 Passed 7 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 1.05 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 0 tows waiting that have averaged 0.00 hours of delay.

Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) – Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due to cracks in miter gate pintle, dewatering scheduled between November 12th and December 20th. Repair time is currently unknown. November 20^th 07:00 Passed 2 tows with 18 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 200.18 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 24 tows with 157 barges waiting that have averaged 142.11 hours of delay.

Hickman, KY Channel Restrictions (LM920) – Due to poor operating conditions in the area, various tow size and transit restrictions have been implemented. Daylight restrictions are in place for southbound tows of 105′ in width.

Profit Island MSU (LM 249) – Daily closures to begin Wednesday, November 20th, during daylight hours for approximately 10 days.

Port Allen Lock Closure (PA 63) – Tainter valve repairs are being performed by a land-based crane, traffic is passing but could have intermittent delays up to 5 hours.

Gross Tete Bridge Closure (PA 47) – Daily closures to facilitate repairs from September 24th thru December 31st. The bridge will open to traffic from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 22:00 to 05:00 the following day. Daylight closures will be suspended November 20th-22nd. Traffic will be allowed to pass from 2200-0500 on these days.

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 19:00. Project was unavailable 06:25-17:00 11/19. November 20^th 07:00 Passed 14 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 8.24 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 8 tows waiting that have averaged 4.28 hours of delay.

Port Arthur Channel Closure (WC 288) – There is a potential channel closure was postponed to tomorrow, October 17th of up to six hours to facilitate pipe work.
- There will also be dredging closures starting October 17th through January 2025 with traffic passing from 1600-2000. This work will take place in Taylor’s Bayou and will impact transit into Port Arthur.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and was expected to last thru November 2024 but has now been extended to February 28, 2025. Project was unavailable 07:31-16:07 11/19. November 20^th 07:00 Passed 34 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 7.52 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 17.50 hours of delay.