American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Friday, January 30th, 2026

Illinois River Operations Update (Effective January 30th)
- To support the safety of our mariners, our equipment, and customers’ cargo, ACBL has decided to cease sending additional vessels and tows into the Illinois River at this time. All northbound vessels currently enroute will hold at the nearest fleet while conditions improve, and no additional northbound movements are being scheduled. Southbound vessels already operating on the river will continue to proceed as planned.
- Please see the current river segment conditions below, reflecting ongoing impacts from Winter Storm Fern:

Upper Mississippi River Weather-Related Issues:
- Some vendors between St. Louis and Cairo have resumed operations; however, there are significant delays with towing work and dock spots are limited.

Illinois River Weather-Related Issues:
- The following fleet operations are not doing tow rework, dock spotting, or cleanings as of January 29th. All fleets will maintain staffing for fleet watch; if safe work opportunities arise, crews will attempt to proceed.
  - Lacon
- The following fleet operations have resumed; however, there are significant delays with tow work and dock spots are limited as of January 29th.
  - Beardstown, Dosh, Havana, Peoria, Pekin, Spring Valley, Hennepin, LaSalle, Ottawa, Morris, Naples
- Channahon/Lemont
  - Operations have resumed; however, there are significant delays, minimal tow work, and limited dock spots as of January 29th.
- SAG Canal/Chicago Harbor/Lake Michigan
  - All operations have been suspended
  - Reassessment January 31st
- 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:
- The following fleet operations are not doing tow rework, dock spotting, or cleanings as of January 29th.
  - Bellaire
  - Follansbee
- The following fleet operations have resumed; however, there are significant delays with tow work and dock spots are limited as of January 29th.
  - Metropolis, Shawneetown, Mt. Vernon, Owensboro, Newburgh, Jeffersonville, Madison, Cincinnati, Southpoint, Georgetown
- 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.
- Willow Island Lock Shut Down – as of early Thursday January 29th AM Willow Island Lock has shut down and currently has no timeframe for reopening.

Tennessee River Weather-Related Issues:
- Due to ongoing weather conditions, fleeting operations onto the Tennessee River are experiencing significant delays. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions allow.
- Wilson Lock (TR 259) – open but experiencing extended delays
- Pickwick Lock (TR 206) – open but experiencing extended delays

Lower Mississippi River Weather-Related Issues:
- Due to ongoing weather conditions, fleeting operations are experiencing significant delays. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions allow.
  - Blytheville, Hickman, Memphis, Osceola, Hickman, Greenville
- 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.

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.

Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) -Daytime closures from 0630-1730 beginning January 30th thru March 27th to facilitate demolition of the river end guidewall.

Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Dredging operations will require daily closures from 0700 to 1900, beginning February 10th and continuing through March 5th.

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: