Low Water Could Hinder Barge Transportation on Mississippi

Commercial barge traffic and commerce on the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill., may be restricted or halted in the beginning of December because of planned reductions of water releases from dams on the upper Missouri River.

The reduced water levels could also expose hazardous rock formations near Thebes and Grand Tower, Ill., threatening navigation.

The American Waterways Operators and Waterways Council recently called on Congress and the president to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the removal of the hazardous rock formations and explore other solutions to prevent the Mississippi from reaching critical low water levels.