American Currents
ACBL Connect will be down for maintenance 1800 November 8 to 0700 November 9
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Wednesday, November 6th, 2024
- 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.
- 2025 Planned Illinois River Lock Port Closure – The closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, was delayed and is now scheduled to start January 28th, 2025, through March 26th, 2025. Initial advisory regarding releases will remain the same. The purpose of this closure is for the installation of the new Vertical Lift Gates, and sill & seal modifications and repairs. This closure will inhibit the ability to move barges from the Illinois to Chicago and Chicago to Illinois.
- Lower Miss Low Water Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
- Loading drafts were reduced to 24% NBD Gulf to Cairo, 20% SBD Cairo to Greenville, and 16% Greenville to the Gulf.
- Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14-35% (5-16 barges)
- Expect delay to transit of 48-to-72 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
- Dredge Potter (UM 85) – Full closure starting at 1700 on November 6th until November 7th at 0700.
- Smithland Lock (OR 919) – Land Chamber closure through November 8th. November 6th 07:00 Passed 16 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 4.32 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 6 tows waiting that have averaged 4.28 hours of delay.
- McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – The work starting July 8th thru November 30th has been temporarily suspended as of October 7th. Work is expected to resume November 7th starting at 07:00 to 19:00 up to 10 hours a day, there will be daily closures to downbound traffic while work is being conducted with normal operations resuming in the evening.
- Markland Lock Closure (OR 531) – The main and auxiliary chambers are scheduled to be closed November 5th and 7th from 0730-1730 for electrical upgrades.
- Greenup Lock Closure (OR 341) – The lock is closed from October 24th thru November 13th for electrical upgrades, but the auxiliary chamber will be available for lockage. November 6th 07:00 Passed 12 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 5.75 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 1.77 hours of delay.
- Hannibal Lock Closure (OR 126) – The primary chamber will be down for maintenance work from June 3rd to November 30th, starting 06:00 to 23:59. The auxiliary chamber will remain open to navigation during that period, but there will be instances announced in advance where both chambers are closed for up to 12 hours to facilitate concrete placement. November 6th 07:00 Passed 12 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 12.78 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 1.35 hours of delay.
- Pike Island Lock Closure (OR84.3) – The main chamber closure expected to start October 31st has been delayed until November 18th at 0600. The main chamber will be closed until December 23rd for structural upgrades and to repower the hydraulic system. The auxiliary chamber will be open for lockage.
- Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) – Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due to cracks in miter gate pintle, dewatering scheduled between November 12th and December 20th. Repair time is currently unknown. November 6th 07:00 Passed 1 tow with 15 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 297.57 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 24 tows with 183 barges waiting that have averaged 156.54 hours of delay
- Hickman, KY Channel Restrictions (LM920) – Due to poor operating conditions in the area, various tow size and transit restrictions have been implemented. Daylight restrictions are in place for southbound tows of 105′ in width.
- Dredge Hurley (LM 870) – The dredge repositioned to Merriwether as of 11/02 with rolling 24-hour closures thru the project. However, the project has been delayed due to repairs.
- Dredge Jadwin (LM 437) – A 24-hr closure began the evening of October 5th. Once open, southbound traffic will move first.
- Port Allen Lock Closure (PA 63) – There is a planned closure to facilitate repairs beginning November 7th- November 14th during daylight hours only.
- Gross Tete Bridge Closure (PA 47) – Daily closures to facilitate repairs from September 24th thru December 31st. The bridge will open to traffic from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 22:00 to 05:00 the following day.
- Bayou Sorrel Lock Closure (PA 37) – Daily closures Monday through Friday resumed June 26th, 2023, through February 2025, to facilitate guide wall repairs from 07:00 to 19:00. Project was unavailable 06:30-17:15 11/5. November 6th 07:00 Passed 8 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 2.47 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 4 tows waiting that have averaged 1.64 hours of delay.
- Industrial Lock Potential Closure (EC 0.0) – May experience unplanned intermittent closures due to reverse head conditions caused by river stages.
- Port Arthur Channel Closure (WC 288) – There is a potential channel closure was postponed to tomorrow, October 17th of up to six hours to facilitate pipe work.
- There will also be dredging closures starting October 17th through January 2025 with traffic passing from 1600-2000. This work will take place in Taylor’s Bayou and will impact transit into Port Arthur.
- Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and is expected to last thru October 2024. Project was unavailable 05:58-16:15 11/4. November 6th 07:00 Passed 16 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 1.68 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 0.88 hours of delay.