American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Wednesday, September 17th, 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
- Marmet (KR 67.7): Inspection, dewatering, and misc. repairs | Main Chamber Closure – Dates are TBD.
- McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – Beginning April 29th thru September 20th there will be intermittent daytime closures for southbound traffic from 0700 to 1900, Monday through Saturday, to facilitate work on the Portland Canal wall. Northbound traffic will be permitted to transit, provided there are no divers in the water.
- September 17th 03:00: Passed 11 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 0.2 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0 hours of delay.
- Lagrange Lock (IR 80.2) – Requires a 6 hour closure on Tuesday September 17th from 0700-1300 to work on the lower left emptying valve for the lock chamber.
- EJ&E Railroad Drawbridge (IR290.1) – Requires a 6 hour closure on Tuesday, September 17th from 1100-1700 for repairs.
- Chain of Rocks Canal (UM186) – Dredging to start on September 19th which will cause nighttime closures through October 1st
- Pickwick Lock Closure (TR 206.7) – Scheduled Main Chamber closure beginning July 7th thru October 7, 2025, for work on the upper gate. The auxiliary chamber will remain open to navigation during this time. September 17th 03:00: 5 tows passed in the last 3 hours, averaging .5 hours of delay. LPMS shows 2 tow waiting, which has an average of 20 hours of delay.
- 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 20th at 0400 to allow traffic to pass.
- September 17th 03:00: Passed 6 tows passed in the last 24 hours, averaging 30.5hours of delay. LPMS shows 7 tows waiting, which has an average of 25.4 hours of delay.
- Jamie L Whitten Lock Closure (TT 411.9) – Routine maintenance closures beginning September 3rd at 0600 until October 3rd at 0600.
- September 17th 03:00: Passed 0 tows passed in the last 24 hours, averaging 0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, which has an average of 0 hours of delay.
- 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.
- Bayou Sorrel Lock Closures (PA 36.7) – Intermittent closures for scheduled repairs are beginning July 21st thru October 2nd, Monday thru Thursday, 0630-1800.
- September 17th 03:00: Passed 16 tows in the last 24 hours, averaging 11.4 hours of delay. LPMS shows 6 tows waiting, which has an average of 26.2 hours of delay.
- Algiers Canal Closures (AC 3.8) –
- Old Hwy 23 Lift Bridge/Belle Chasse Bridge will undergo daily channel closures from Monday to Saturday, between May 19th and October 25th, from 0600 to 1430, due to the second phase of the remaining bridge structure demolition.
- Algiers Lock & Dam (LM088.0) – September 17th 03:00: Passed 15 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 14.9 hours of delay. LPMS shows 18 tows waiting, which has an average of 25 hours of delay.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock) – (EC001) –
- September 17th 03:00: Passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 8.1 hours of delay. LPMS shows 3 tows waiting, averaging 21.7 hours of delay.
- Colorado River Locks (WC 440) – The East and West locks will have daytime restrictions Monday through Friday, January 29th thru August 29th. September 17th 03:00: Passed 20 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 4.5 hours of delay. LPMS shows 2 tows waiting, which has an average of 15.5 hours of delay.
- Bayou Boeuf Lock (WC 93.3) – Repairs are scheduled beginning July 14th, Monday thru Friday, 0700–1730, are expected to last thru September 2025. Bayou Chene is available as an alternate route.
- September 17th 03:00: Passed 20 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged .7 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0 hours of delay.
- Port Allen Lock (PA 66) – Dredging will require a full closure beginning at 6:30 AM on September 20th through 6:30 AM on September 23rd.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
