American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Monday, April 27th, 2026
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 High Water – High flows are still being seen as of April 22nd.
- Lockport Lock Closure (IR 291) – 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.
- Illinois River Lockport Re-Opening – ACBL has distributed our annual guidance for accepting release dates above Lockport Lock. 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 are not currently reduced 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.
- McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – The North (river) chamber will be closed from March 30th thru April 30th for miter gate repairs. All traffic should utilize the South (land) Chamber during this time.
- April 27th 03:00: Passed 14 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 1.6 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 8.3 hours of delay.
- Markland Lock Closure (OR 531.5) – Beginning April 16th locking of the primary chamber has resumed. Work is now being completed on the auxiliary chamber.
- Emsworth Lock Closures (OR 6.2) – Beginning April 27th thru Sept. 4th, the auxiliary chamber will be closed daily from 0600 to 2359, and the primary chamber will have intermittent closures for filling valve maintenance.
- April 27th 03:00: Passed 8 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 1.8 hours of delay. LPMS shows 1 tow waiting, averaging 9.0 hours of delay.
- Kentucky Lock (TR 22.3) – Lock Closure June 15th thru June 29th to facilitate miter gate gearbox replacement. Vessels may use Barkley Lock and the Barkley Canal as alternate route.
- Harvey Canal (LM 98.3) – A 24/7 closure for 7 days will begin on May 1st for municipal waterline repairs.
- Glover Wilkins Lock Closure (TTW 376.3) – Scheduled 30-day closure for routine maintenance will occur from September 9th thru October 10th.
- Thad Cochran Lock Closure (TTW 371.1) – Scheduled 30-day closure for routine maintenance will occur from September 10th thru October 10th.
- Port Allen Route Closure (PA 54.5-55.5) – USCG will establish a Safety Zone closing the route on April 25th and 26th from 0900-1800 for boat race activities.
- Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – As of April 1st, closures are scheduled through June 26th, Monday-Friday, between 1900 and 0700, to allow for repair work.
- April 24th 03:00: Passed 17 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 46.4 hours of delay. LPMS shows 4 tows waiting, averaging 22.5 hours of delay.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) – Daytime closures from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, will resume on April 13th thru approx. May 1st for river end guide-wall work.
- April 24th 03:00: Passed 9 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 142.9 hours of delay. LPMS shows 45 tows waiting, averaging 63.5 hours of delay.
- Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning May 18th thru Oct. 31st, the Calcasieu Lock will have daytime closures Monday thru Friday for repairs.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
