American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
As part of our annual financial and operational compliance cycle, American Commercial Barge Lines is partnering with EY to complete the 2025 audit confirmations. If your organization is selected for verification, EY may contact you directly to validate account activity or balances. This process helps ensure transparency, accuracy, and continued trust in our reporting. We appreciate your quick attention to any requests and thank you for supporting a smooth audit cycle.
- Lockport Lock Closure (IR 291) – 2026 Planned Illinois River Lockport Closure – Closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, starting March 31st, 2026, thru May 19th, 2026. Click here for our full guidance.
- Illinois River Lockport Re-Opening – ACBL has distributed our annual guidance for accepting release dates above Lockport Lock. Click here for our full guidance.
- Lower Miss Operational Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Loading drafts are not currently reduced NBD Gulf to Cairo.
- Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14% (5 barges)
- Normal Water Stages:
- Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): 20′ – 5′
- Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): 40′ – 20′
- Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): 30′ – 10′
- Low Water Stages:
- Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): Below 5′
- Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): Below 20′
- Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): Below 10′
- For current river stage information, please refer to the links at the bottom of this page.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Ohio River Closure (OR 943.5-947.5) -A full river closure is scheduled from March 17th thru March 19th, daily from 0800 to 1800, to allow for replacement of an aerial power line crossing the river.
- McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) –
- Portland Canal Main Wall Repairs – Starting October 27, 2025, they will begin repairing the main wall of the Portland Canal. They will pass traffic N/B 0700-1000, No traffic will pass from 1000-1500, N/B only from 1500-1900, then all traffic will pass from 1900-0700. They expect this to last until April 2026.
- Markland Lock Closure (OR 531.5) – Beginning March 9th thru April 17th, the primary chamber will be closed for repairs to the miter gate. All traffic will utilize the auxiliary chamber.
- March 18th 03:00: Passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 5.9 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 20.0 hours of delay.
- Emsworth Lock Closures (OR 6.2) – Beginning April 27th thru Sept. 4th, the auxiliary chamber will be closed daily from 0600 to 2359, and the primary chamber will have intermittent closures for filling valve maintenance.
- C.W. Bill Young Lock Closure (AR 14.5) – The Allegheny River lock will be closed for maintenance from March 16th thru April 10th. A full river closure will be in effect during this period.
- Harvey Canal Closures (LM 98.3) – Daily closures will occur March 6th thru April 6th, seven days a week, from 0700–1100 and 1300–1800, to complete emergent water line repairs near the Lapalco Sector Gate.
- Port Allen Channel Closures (PA 63.7) – Daily closures from 0700-1800, March 16th thru March 20th, for demolition of the old LA Hwy 1 Bridge.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) – Beginning March 16th, instillation of barges moored end-to-end to pilings in the area to protect the St. Claude Ave bridge piers. More info to come.
- March 18th 03:00: Passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 27.5 hours of delay. LPMS shows 1 tow waiting, averaging 13.0 hours of delay.
- Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Closures are scheduled to begin in early April, Monday-Friday, between 1800 and 0600, to allow for repair work.
- March 18th 03:00: Passed 31 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 34.85 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 28.5 hours of delay.
- Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning in May 2026, the Calcasieu Lock will have daytime closures Monday thru Friday, expected to last approximately six months.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
