American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Upper Miss Closeout – ACBL passed our final departure dates for southbound traffic from St. Paul through Clinton. Click here for our full guidance.
- Surface level ice has been reported in the region (UM 457) with boats experiencing up to 4 hours of delay to work through conditions.

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 6-20% (3-7 barges)
  - Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.

LaGrange Lock Delays (IR 80.2) – There have been delays reported of up to 48 hours due to congestion, hindering timings going to the river as of December 13th.

Weather Delays – Weather issues have been reported throughout the Midwest, Gulf, and Canals. We have lost 17 boat days due to wind and fog. The extreme winds in the Chicago area are preventing transit across the lake; resulting in delays for barges to load or discharge in a timely manner.

New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – Primary chamber closure February 7th thru May 28th for repairs.

McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – Intermittent daytime closures due to work in the Portland Canal, December 2^nd through January 31^st has been suspended until January 6th.
- January 6th thru January 17th: The South (Land) Chamber will be closed to all navigation traffic for repairs on a filling culvert valve. Traffic will utilize the North (River) Chamber.
- January 6th thru March 29th: Intermittent daytime closures, due to work on the Portland Canal wall, will resume starting at 0700 for up to 10 hours a day.

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 has now been extended through February 2025. December 27^th 07:00 Passed 5 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 0.00 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, repair time is now estimated to be June 14, 2025. December 27^th 07:00 Passed 2 tows and 2 partial tows, with 16 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 351.04 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 25 tows and a partial tow, with 165 barges waiting that have averaged 192.89 hours of delay.

Kentucky Lock Closure (TR 22.4) – Intermittent closures starting January 6th thru January 31st, 2025, due to work and repairs; some closures will take place from 0600-1800.

Cheatham Lock Closure (CR 148.7) – Lock will be closed for scheduled repairs from March 3rd thru May 29th, 2025, with interim openings:
- Opening 1: March 20th starting at 1800 thru March 24th at 0600.

Togo Closures (LM 413) –
- Intermittent closures beginning December 18th thru December 30th for MSU project. No S/B traffic between 0600-1800. N/B restrictions to no more than 4 wide and 6 long. Queue will clear each night.
- Closure will pause from 12/24 thru 12/25, then resume closures on 12/26.
- Starting January 6th, for 83 days a scheduled closure will be in place for S/B traffic due to dike installations.

Natchez Bridge (LM 361) – There will be a 58-day project, 1.9 miles below the bridge, to replace a line across the river. There will be 12 days of closures February 9th thru March 8th. More details to come.

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 02:15-17:00 12/26. December 27^th 07:00 Passed 10 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 2.62 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 1.32 hours of delay.

Port Arthur Channel Closure (WC 288) – There will 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 05:42-07:01 12/26. LPMS is not showing any transits since 02:24 12/27. December 27^th07:00 Passed 16 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 1.77 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 0 tows waiting that have averaged 0.00 hours of delay.