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ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Thursday, June 18, 2026

As part of our annual financial and operational compliance cycle, American Commercial Barge Line 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.

  • 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 13% (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.

  • Lower Mississippi Valley Weather Update – Active weather continues over the lower basin as heavy rain, associated with a lingering weather system and the remnants of Arthur. As much as 10″ more of rain could arrive over the next 7 days. For Today, there is a rare High Risk in place for portions of southern Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama with a Moderate Risk for heavy rain over a larger area. This heavy rain looks to continue at least for the next two days. Many flood watches and warnings are in place as a result of the heavy rain.
  • Beginning June 17th, transit through St Louis harbor has been restricted to daylight hours only. This restriction could create additional delays at Mel Price Lock & Dam and Lock 25.
  • Beginning June 15th, ACBL has implemented daylight transit only from Cape Girardeau to Cairo due to high water.
  • Fort Madison Bridge Closure (UM383.90) – Scheduled channel closure on June 13th and 20th from 0600 – 1800 for repairs.
  • Brandon Road Lock Closure (IR 286.00) – Daily lock closures starting September 21st through April 28th, 2028 from 0600 – 1800 for rock excavation in channel and wall construction at the lock approach area. Delays are anticipated.
  • 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. Primary chamber tow restriction: max tow width of 78 feet.
    • June 18th 03:00: Passed 7 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 2.1 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0.0 hours of delay.
  • Pike Island Lock Closures (OR 84.2) – Daily intermittent lock closures starting June 15th thru June 19th.
    • June 18th 03:00: Passed 5 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 0.0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0.0 hours of delay.
  • Ohio River Closure (OR 560) – Full river closure from mile 559 to mile 561 until further notice due to a submerged power line.
  • Barkley Lock (CR 30.6) – Lock closure July 22nd thru September 30th to make repairs to the miter gates. Traffic may pass by taking the alternate route via Kentucky Lock and the Barkley Canal.
  • 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.
  • 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 Lock (LM 228.4) – Intermittent closures will occur daily from June 1st thru June 17th, between 0700 and 1900, for approx. six hours each day to replace one of the lock operating valves.
    • June 18th 03:00: Passed 17 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 9.2 hours of delay. LPMS shows 2 tows waiting, averaging 16.0 hours of delay.
  • Algiers Canal Closures (AC 3.8) – Scheduled full channel closure from June 15th thru June 26th for Belle Chasse Railroad Bridge repairs; bridge will remain closed to marine traffic until work is complete.
  • Bayou Sorrel Lock (PA 36.7) – The lock will be closed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., beginning May 26 through approximately June 15, for guide wall repairs. The lock will reopen temporarily June 15 thru June 26, during the Algiers Canal closure. Closure will resume on June 26th, when Algiers reopens.
    • June 18th 03:00: Passed 15 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 22.7hours of delay. LPMS shows 5 tows waiting, averaging 28.6 hours of delay.
  • Morgan City Restrictions (PA 0.4) – USCG has implemented High Water Restrictions in Morgan City. Tows greater than 600′ will be required to have an assist boat to transit the Morgan City Triple Span Bridges. Delays are expected, pending assist boat availability.
  • Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Scheduled closure from May 20th through approx. September 18th. Calcasieu Lock will have daytime closures Monday through Friday from 0700-1900 for major repairs to the north chamber wall. The maritime industry anticipates these closures will result in significant delays of 3-5 days. ACBL will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates and additional information as it becomes available.
    • June 18th 03:00: Passed 28 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 6.1 hours of delay. LPMS shows 9 tows waiting, averaging 26.4 hours of delay.
    • USACE has suspended all guide wall work and associated daytime closures/restrictions on June 18th, due to the threat of heavy rains/wind.
  • 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.
    • June 18th 03:00: Passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 66.5 hours of delay. LPMS shows 9 tows waiting, averaging 65.65 hours of delay.
  • Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) –
    • June 17th 03:00: Passed 0 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 0.0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 15 tows waiting, averaging 138.0 hours of delay.

Links to Current River Stages:

River Closure & Restricted Movements

Lower Miss/Gulf/Canals/Tenn Tom
Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland

Weather Information

Precipitation Forecast Inland Waterway Weather Report National Hurricane Center

Additional Information

River Stages Lock Closures and Information Archive

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