American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Friday, January 23rd, 2026

Upper Mississippi River Weather-Related Issues:
- Due to ongoing weather conditions, fleeting operations in St. Louis are temporarily down at St. Louis Harbor. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions allow.

Illinois River Weather-Related Issues:
- The following fleet operations will begin shutting down today, January 23. Reopening plans will be evaluated on January 26. All fleets will maintain staffing for fleet watch; if safe work opportunities arise, crews will attempt to proceed.
  - Naples, Beardstown, Havana, Pekin/Peoria, Hennepin, Peru, Ottawa, Channahon, Joliet, Lemont
- Seneca
  - Remains operational through January 25
  - Seneca North to Channahon is currently navigable but expected to deteriorate Sunday night (January 25), with limited transit availability
- SAG Canal to Calumet River
  - Currently unnavigable and expected to deteriorate further starting tonight (January 23)
  - Reassessment scheduled for January 30
- Chicago / Calumet Harbor
  - All operations shut down January 23
  - Reopening will be assessed January 27
- Lake Michigan
  - All lake operations suspended for 14 days
  - Reopening to be evaluated during the first week of February
- Please note that all plans are fluid and subject to change. We will continue to monitor conditions closely. If any critical updates arise over the weekend, they will be communicated as soon as possible.

Ice Couplings on the Illinois River – Due to River conditions, as of December 5th ice couplings are now required at various locks on the Illinois. Pictures of conditions at the bottom of page.

Ohio River Weather-Related Issues:
- Good afternoon, as extreme cold moves into the region, all vendors have suspended cleaning and repair services effective today. Forecasts indicate the potential for ice formation on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh beginning Monday, January 26–27.
- Fleeting services across the Ohio Valley currently plan to remain operational; however, customers should expect significant delays as arctic temperatures and ice buildup disrupt normal operations. Fleets have also confirmed that crews will be working in pairs, with reduced outdoor exposure to ensure employee safety. As a result, extended delays in boat and barge production are anticipated.
- Please note that all plans are fluid and subject to change. We will continue to monitor conditions closely. If any critical updates arise over the weekend, they will be communicated as soon as possible.

Tennessee River Weather-Related Issues:
- Due to ongoing weather conditions, fleeting operations onto the Tennessee River are temporarily down. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions allow.

Lower Mississippi River Weather-Related Issues:
- Due to ongoing weather conditions, fleeting operations at Caruthersville and Rosedale are temporarily down. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions allow.

Gulf Region Widespread Fog – As of January 22nd, due to dense fog in the area, several operators are experiencing disruptions. Delays are anticipated.

Implemented Low Water Protocol – Effective September 1, 2025, ACBL has implemented our low water protocol based on readings from the Memphis gauge reaching 0′. Please be advised that low water surcharges will be applied in accordance with the terms outlined in your contract. We appreciate your understanding and continued partnership. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your ACBL representative.

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.

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.

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.

Lower Miss Operational Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
  - Loading drafts were reduced to 5% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
  - Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 9%-14% (4-5 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.

McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) –
- The land chamber will be closed from 0600-1800, beginning January 28th thru February 8th, for repairs on a culvert valve.
- Portland Canal Main Wall Repairs – Starting October 27th, 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.

Lower Miss Mat Sinking Closures (LM 430):
- January 22nd thru January 25th: Mat sinking operations will take place in Vicksburg, with channel closures from 0600 to 1800 each day. More info to come.

Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) -Daytime closures from 0630-1730 beginning January 26th thru March 27th to facilitate demolition of the river end guidewall.
- January 23rd 03:00: Passed 10 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 22.9 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 24.3 hours of delay.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) -Daily closures due to Mooring buoy repairs beginning January 18th thru January 23rd. Once complete, repairs will shift to Colorado Locks.
Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning in March 2026 there will be two 35-day, Daytime lock closures at the Calcasieu Lock. Expected to last until October. Max width during the nighttime passings will be 54′.

Links to Current River Stages: