American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
- Notice: Lock Data Removed:
- We’ve removed lock data from our site after discovering inaccuracies. ACBL is reviewing the issue and will share updates as they become available.
- In the meantime, you can access publicly available lock information through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: https://ndc.ops.usace.army.mil/ords/f?p=108:3
****Weather conditions across the affected regions have improved; however, operational delays continue in some regions. ACBL is working diligently to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. ****
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 Re-Opening – ACBL has distributed our annual guidance for accepting release dates for the Upper Mississippi above St. Louis. Click here for our full guidance.
- Lock 19 is anticipated to open on March 14, 2026.
- 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 were reduced to .05% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
- Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14% (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) –
- Portland Canal Main Wall Repairs – Starting October 27, 2025, they will begin repairing the main wall of the Portland Canal. They will pass traffic N/B 0700-1000, No traffic will pass from 1000-1500, N/B only from 1500-1900, then all traffic will pass from 1900-0700. They expect this to last until April 2026.
- Markland Lock Closure (OR 531.5) – Beginning March 9th thru April 17th, the primary chamber will be closed for repairs to the miter gate. All traffic will utilize the auxiliary chamber.
- Barkley Lock Closure (CR 30.6) – Closure beginning March 2nd thru March 12th, from 0600 -1800 daily (CST), to facilitate repairs to the downstream miter gates.
- C.W. Bill Young Lock Closure (AR 14.5) – The Allegheny River lock will be closed for maintenance from March 16th thru April 10th. A full river closure will be in effect during this period.
- Old River Lock Closures (LM 303) – Beginning February 9th and continuing until further notice, the lock will be subject to intermittent delays during daylight hours (up to 10 hours daily) for repairs.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) -Daytime closures from 0630-1730 beginning January 30th thru March 27th to facilitate demolition of the river end guidewall.
- Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Dredging operations will require daily closures from 0700 to 1900, beginning February 10th and continuing through March 5th.
- Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning in May 2026 there will be two 35-day, Daytime lock closures at the Calcasieu Lock. Expected to last until October. Max width during the nighttime passings will be 54′.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
