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ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Saturday, April 5th, 2025

Due to recent heavy rainfall, the Ohio River is experiencing a historical flooding event. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the entire region, with water levels expected to continue rising. As a result, we anticipate the following disruptions:

USCG Lock Restrictions/Closures: Locks along the Ohio River have implemented daylight only restrictions and others will be closed to ensure safety and prevent damage. This will affect navigation and cause delays in transit.

  • Racine Lock (OR237) has daylight only restriction
  • Markland Lock & Dam (OR530) and McAlpine Lock & Dam (OR606) have daylight only restrictions and are both expected to cease operations Sunday morning, which would effectively shut down all transit from above Cincinnati to below Louisville for approximately 7 – 10 days
  • Smithland Lock & Dam (OR918) could close early next week, which would halt all transit into the Ohio River

Dock and Port Services: Flooding conditions will cause some docks and fleeting locations to suspend operations. For questions regarding individual locations, please reach out to your local contacts.

We understand that these disruptions may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. The situation is rapidly evolving as additional rains continue. There will be another industry call on Monday to discuss additional closures and how this will affect the Cairo area and Lower Mississippi region. Expect immediate and major impacts to all areas from the Upper Ohio to Cairo. Our team is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions change.

If you have any questions regarding freight destined to the Ohio River or need further assistance, please contact your Salesperson or Customer Experience Specialist.

  • Lower Miss Operational 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 27-33% (9-10 barges)
      • Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
  • Brandon Road Lock (IR 286) – The closures beginning January 28th, Monday thru Friday until March 25th for rock excavation and dredging, have been extended to April 4th. Openings on Saturdays and Sundays to pass traffic.
  • Mel Price Lock (UM 200) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, has now been extended to April 4th. April 4, 07:00: Passed 6 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 4.7 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 3 tows waiting that have averaged 22.4 hours of delay.
  • Lock 27 (UM 185.5) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, has now been extended to April 11th. April 4, 07:00: Passed 11 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 161.80 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 60 tows waiting, which has averaged 70.6 hours of delay.
  • McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) -Beginning January 6th thru March 25th there will be intermittent daytime closures starting at 0700 for up to 10 hours a day to work on the Portland Canal wall. Work was suspended as of March 13th, will resume on April 7th.
  • Ohio River Safety Zone (OR 490-491) – Possible intermittent closures beginning March 24th thru March 29th and March 31st thru April 5th from 0700-1100 due to work on overhanging power lines.
  • New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – A scheduled primary chamber closure began at 0600 on February 28th thru May 28th to facilitate repairs. April 4, 07:00: Passed 5 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 4.10 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 0 tows waiting that have averaged 0 hours of delay.
  • Tennessee-Tombigbee Channel Closure (TT 427-428) – Scheduled closure on March 29th from 0800 to 2000 to have a new overhead fiber optic cable installed.
  • Tennessee-Tombigbee Channel Closure (TT 410) – The navigation channel will be closed from 0700-1900 beginning March 29th thru approx. April 19th for strike removal.
  • 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. April 4, 07:00, 1 tow passed in the last 24 hours, averaging 458.40 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 31 tows waiting that have averaged 270.50 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 2: April 3rd starting at 1800 thru April 7th at 0600.
    • Opening 3: April 17th starting at 1800 thru April 21st at 0600.
    • Opening 4: May 1st starting at 1800 thru May 5th at 0600.
    • Opening 5: May 15th starting at 1800 thru May 19th at 0600.
  • Algiers Lock Closure (LM 88.0) – There are scheduled daytime closures from 0700-1800, Monday-Saturday, April 7th thru May 3rd for completion of river end guidewall and dolphin construction.
  • Morley Lift Bridge Closures (PA 56) – There will be scheduled intermittent closures for several repairs:
    • April 4th and 8th: The 14- hour closure has been rescheduled for April 5th and 6th to coincide with the Safety Zone due to the boat race at miles 54.5-55.5.
    • April 17th: 16-hour closure
  • Colorado River Locks (WC 440) – The East and West locks will have daytime restrictions Monday through Friday now starting January 29th thru February 28th has now been extended until May 16th. April 4, 07:00: Passed 15 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 2.80 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 6 tow waiting that has averaged 29.0 hours of delay.
  • Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and was expected to last thru February 28th but has now been extended to April 30, 2025. April 4, 07:00: Passed 22 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 33.0 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tows waiting that have averaged 54.95 hours of delay.
  • Leland Bowman Lock Closure (WC 163) – Daytime closures Monday thru Friday, from 0700-18:30, beginning March 24th thru April 25th for various repairs.

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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