River Closures and Restricted Movements

Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland

  • McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – Starting July 8th thru November 30th 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 chamber is currently back open and is expected to shut back down September 8th thru October 6th. All traffic will pass through the Auxiliary Chamber during the respective closures.
  • Hannibal Lock Closure (OR 126) – The primary chamber will be down for maintenance work from June 3rd to November 8th, 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.

Chicago/Illinois/Upper Miss

  • 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, starting January 14th, 2025, through March 11th, 2025. 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/Gulf/Canals/Tenn Tom

  • 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 Vicksburg, and 16% SBD Vicksburg to the Gulf.
      • Approx. reduction of 600 tons per barge NBD, 500 tons per barge SBD to Vicksburg, and 400 tons per barge SBD from Vicksburg to the Gulf.
    • Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14-34%, or 5-16 barges.
    • Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
  • Dredge Jadwin (LM 785) – The dredge relocated to Island 30 and began rolling 24-hour closures on September 8th. They expect to resume dredging tomorrow, 09/12, for one last closure and will reposition to LM788 for further work.
  • Dredge Hurley (LM 485) – The dredge mobilized to Stack Island and is expected to have rolling 24-hour closures from September 16th through the remainder of the project.
  • Rosehill Revetment (LM 454) – There is ongoing daily revetment work from 06:00 to 18:00 that is currently not expected to impact transit and is being monitored.
  • Convent Pipeline Removal (LM 158) – There will be an approximate 37-day project to take place starting August 18th thru September 24th. There are no expected closures at this time, but industry expects restricted movement through the area as work progresses.
  • 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 16:00. 
  • Algiers Lock Closure (AC 0.0) – The lock will be closed to navigation on September 17th and 18th from 07:00 to 19:00 for construction work.
  • Harvey Lock Delay (WC 0.0) – As of August 19th, the lock is closed until further notice due to low water and reverse head conditions.
  • Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and is expected to last thru October 2024. 
  • John C Stennis Lock Closure (TT 334) – There will be a 30-day closure starting September 4th at 06:00 until October 3rd at 06:00.
  • Aberdeen Lock Closure (TT 357) – There will be a 30-day closure starting September 5th at 06:00 until October 4th at 06:00.
  • Holt Lock & Dam Closure (WT 347) – The lock has been closed to transit since June 22nd at 12:00 due to cracking that was previously being monitored. Currently, temp repairs are expected to complete early October. More information to be determined.