This is the river conditions report as of November 20, 2009.
Allegheny River, Monongahela River: Normal conditions.
Kanawha River, Big Sandy River, Upper Ohio River: Normal conditions.
The main chamber at Greenup Lock (MM 341) is closed for repairs through 12/04/09. Traffic is passing through the auxiliary chamber. Delays yesterday averaged 5 hours; there are 5 tows waiting turn this morning.
The main chamber at Markland Lock & Dam (MM 531) remains closed following the gate failure which occurred on 9/27. Repairs to the structure are underway and are expected to take a minimum of 90 days before the main chamber can be put back into service. Traffic is passing through the auxiliary chamber. Delays yesterday averaged 7 hours; there are 7 tows waiting turn this morning.
Tennessee River: Will resume normal operations 11/21.
Cumberland River: Normal conditions.
Lower Ohio River: Lock 52 lowered their wickets 10/09, and traffic is currently running the pass. Lock 53 - Down, currently running the pass.
Cairo: 33.4 feet and rising
Illinois River: The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal will be closed to all traffic, weather permitting, beginning December 2 for a period of four to five days while scheduled maintenance is performed on Barrier IIA. The canal will be closed to all commercial and recreational vessel traffic between CSSC Mile Markers 291 and 298.
Upper Mississippi River: Normal conditions.
Lock #25, MP 241, is scheduled to close for winter maintenance on 01/04/10.
St. Louis: 28.5 feet, rising with a forecasted crest of 29 feet on 11/21. Flood stage is 30 feet.
Dredging operations near MM173 will be performed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until further notice.
Lower Mississippi River:
Memphis: 16.8 feet, rising
Arkansas River: Conditions on the upper end are fairly normal. Around Little Rock, flows are still a little above normal but conditions are definitely improving.
Vicksburg: 36.1 feet, and falling
Per Navigation Industries' request, New Orleans District will schedule the Closure of Old River Lock to commence on October 15, 2010 for 30 days to Install Miter Gates on the Mississippi River end. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Kayla LeBlanc or myself at 225-492-2169. Note: If for some unforeseen reason the river stages rise above the dewatering bulkheads before the new gates are properly adjusted, Old River Lock could remain closed until the next low water season. The New Orleans District will do everything possible to try to prevent this from happening.
Baton Rouge: 33.0 feet, falling
New Orleans: 13.2 feet, falling
GIWE) EAST CANAL- Conditions normal.
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock - On or about October 21, 2009 and continuing for approximately 45 days critical repairs will be made to the southwest guide wall. Work will be Monday thru Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Initially the work will be conducted from behind the guide wall and marine traffic will be able to navigate after passing arrangements have been made by contacting the M\V BIENVILLE. At some point the floating plant will start operating on the channel side of the guide wall and traffic will not be permitted to pass from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
IHNC Lock: As of this morning - there were 22 Eastbound locking on turn, and 29 Westbound lockings on turn - for about a 48 hour delay.
A full time traffic control vessel is now posted at the Lake Borgne Floodgate. The vessel's call sign is "Watchdog" and monitors channel 16 at all times. ALL TOWING VESSELS MUST CHECK IN WITH "WATCHDOG" ON VHF CHANNEL 16 PRIOR TO REACHING THE PARIS ROAD BRIDGE WHEN EASTBOUND AND PRIOR TO REACHING THE GIWW MILE 20 EHL WHEN WESTBOUND. Compliance with instructions from "Watchdog" is required for all vessels. Extreme caution is in order at all times when transiting this area due to numerous small construction tenders, crewboats, and shift boats that will be moving equipment and personnel in the area.
(GIWW) WEST CANAL- Conditions normal.
Morgan City - VTS has put 600' restrictions on.
Commencing on 16 Nov 2009, the Leland Bowman Lock will be unable to lock vessels due to the removal of the No. 1 Hydraulic Unit. The Lock will serve as a water control structure for approximately 1 to 2 weeks, dependant on when the unit is returned following the repairs. All hydraulic units have been submerged in salt water twice, and an attempt will be made to rebuild each unit over the next year.
All vessels will be able to transit the structure in open pass. This should have little effect on the marine industry with the exception of times when there is a strong current, and at that time, assist vessels may be required.
Commencing on October 19 and continuing through approximately December 18, the Calcasieu Lock will be closed weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., due to necessary guide wall repairs adjacent to the northeast dolphin at the Lock. For up-to-date information, please call the lockmaster, Kevin Galley, at (337) 477-1482. The point of contact with the New Orleans District is Steve Schinetsky at (504) 862-2343.
Algiers Lock closed for repair to "A" gate. No info available on length of repair.
Algiers Lock: As of this morning - there were 8 Eastbound lockings on turn, and 6 Westbound locking on turn - for about a 14 hour delay.
Harvey Lock: As of this morning - there were 0 Eastbound lockings on turn, and 0 Westbound locking on turn - for about a 1 hour delay.
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