American Currents

ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Friday, February 14th, 2025

  • Upper Miss River Re-Opening: ACBL has sent out our annual guidance for re-opening dates to the Upper Miss. Click the link below for our full guidance.
  • Illinois River Lockport Lock Re-Opening – ACBL has sent out our guidance for the re-opening of the Illinois River on March 28th following the completion of the Lockport Lock closure at mile 291. Click the link below for our full guidance.
  • 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 20% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
      • Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 28-33% (9-10 barges)
      • Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
  • Weather Conditions on the Illinois River – Due to river conditions, as of December 30th ice couplings are now required going on the Illinois, delays to be expected.
  • Mel Price Lock (UM 200) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, currently double locking; expect delays to grow to 18-25 hours daily. February 14th 07:00 Passed 2 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 0.61 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 2.87 hours of delay.
  • Lock 27 (UM 185.5) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, currently double locking; expect delays to grow to 18-25 hours daily. February 14th 07:00 Passed 7 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 2.99 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 3 tows waiting that have averaged 5.93 hours of delay.
  • McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) beginning January 6th thru March 25th there will be intermittent daytime closures, due to work on the Portland Canal wall, will resume starting at 0700 for up to 10 hours a day. February 14th 07:00 Passed 19 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 0.35 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 0.93 hours of delay.
  • Markland Lock Closure (OR 531.5) – Both the main and auxiliary chamber will be closed from 0730-1730 on both February 25th and February 27th for electrical upgrades.
  • New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – The scheduled primary chamber closure for February 7th thru May 28th to facilitate repairs, has been rescheduled for February 25th thru June 1st.
  • Louisville & Nashville Railroad Drawbridge (TR 414) – Due to repairs, the bridge will be in the closed to navigation position for two separate closures:
    • February 17th thru February 21st
    • February 24th thru February 28th
  • Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) -Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due to cracks in miter gate pintle, repair time is now estimated to be June 14, 2025. February 14th 07:00 passed 2 tows and 1 partial tows with 12 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 319.20hours of delay. LPMS is showing 32 tows and a partial tow with 261 barges waiting that have averaged 209.01 hours of delay.
  • Cheatham Lock Closure (CR 148.7) – Lock will be closed for scheduled repairs from March 3rd thru May 29th, 2025, with interim openings:
    • Opening 1: March 20th starting at 1800 thru March 24th at 0600.
  • Lower Memphis Bridge (LM 734.5) – A 20-day project will begin on January 30th thru approximately February 19th with daylight only transit for tows over 3 wide.
  • Togo Closures (LM 413)
    • The scheduled closure in place for S/B traffic due to dike installations that started on January 6th through approximately March 30th has now been extended thru late April.
  • Natchez Bridge (LM 361) – There will be a 58-day project (January 11th thru March 2nd), 1.9 miles below the bridge, to replace a line across the river. There will be 12 days of intermittent 12-hour closures scheduled for February 9th thru March 8th, now postponed until June 2025.
  • Industrial Lock Closure (LM 92.6) – The lock will experience daytime closures from 0700-1700 on February 12th and 13th for repairs to the lock’s dolphin protection piles.
  • Morley Lift Bridge Closures (PA 56) – There will be scheduled intermittent closures for several repairs:
    • March 18th, 22nd, and 25th: 18-hour closures each day
    • April 1st: 18-hour closure
    • April 4th and 8th: 14-hour closure each day
    • April 17th: 16-hour closure
  • 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 12:55-13:41, then again 15:10-19:21 2/13. LPMS is not showing any transits since 03:30 2/14. February 14th 07:00 Passed 11 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 10.88 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 6 tows waiting that have averaged 19.82 hours of delay.
  • Colorado River Locks (WC 440) – The East and West locks will have daytime restrictions Monday through Friday now starting January 29th thru February 28th. Project was unavailable 02:29-16:40, then again 18:36-22:51 2/13. February 14th 07:00 Passed 16 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 7.71 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 0.60 hours of delay.
  • Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and was expected to last thru November 2024 but has now been extended to February 28, 2025. Project was unavailable 07:20-17:31 2/13. February 14th 07:00 Passed 19 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 37.51 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that have averaged 87.75 hours of delay.

River Closure & Restricted Movements


Weather Information


Additional Information