American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
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.
- 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.
- 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 0.05% 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.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Tentative Major Lock Maintenance Schedule 2025:
- Markland (OR 531.5): Down Stream Gate Rehab | Auxiliary Chamber – estimated for October/November
- Cumberland River Closure – Late Friday night/early Saturday morning there was a grounding near the mouth of the river. This grounding combined with the Kentucky Lock closure had all north and southbound traffic stopped. As of 1200 today, October 27th the boat has gotten off ground and traffic should be back underway.
- Marmet Locks and Dam Closure (KR 67.7) – Main chamber closure, October 1st thru October 31st for dewatering, inspecting, and miscellaneous repairs. They will be single locking all barges through the Marmet Auxiliary Chamber.
- Kentucky Lock (TR 22.3) – Scheduled full lock closure, September 22nd thru November 21st, for wall armor and concrete repairs. Barkley Lock will be used as an alternative route.
- Opening October 16th at 1800 thru October 26th at 0400 to allow traffic to pass.
- McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – Main Chamber closure from 0800-1600 on both October 22nd and 23rd.
- Portland Canal Main Wall Repairs (OR 606) – 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.
- Fort Madison Railroad Bridge (UM 384) – Beginning September 23rd thru mid-October, there will be intermittent closures due to needed repairs.
- Lagrange Lock Backup (IR 80) – 14 Tows waiting at Lagrange due to slow locking.
- Natchez Closure (LM364) – Starting October 15th-October 16th there will be 12 hour closures from 7AM-7PM. Then again on October 21st-23rd, October 27th-29th, and November 5th-9th.
- Dardanelle Lock 10 (AK 205.5) – Scheduled daily closures with 70′ width restrictions from 0700-1900 beginning June 15th thru November 2025 for construction.
- James W. Trimble Lock (AK 292.8) – Scheduled daily closures with 70′ width restrictions from 0700-1900 beginning June 15th thru November 2025 for construction.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock) – (EC001) – Beginning in February of 2026 thru August of 2026 there will be daytime closures to repair the river end timber guide wall.
- October 28th 03:00: Passed 14 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 6 hours of delay. LPMS shows 16 tow waiting, averaging 7.6 hours of delay.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
