American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Tuesday, April 8th, 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 restrictions for southbound traffic as of 4/07, expected to be closed until 4/10.
- Greenup Lock (OR 341) has daylight only restrictions for southbound traffic as of 4/07.
- Meldahl Lock (OR 436) closed to transit as of 4/07, expected to be closed until 4/9.
- Markland Lock & Dam (OR530) closed between Louisville and Cincinnati as of 4/06, estimated to be closed until 4/10.
- McAlpine Lock & Dam (OR606) closed as of 4/6, estimated to be closed until 4/12.
- Cannelton Lock (OR 720) expected to cease operations as of 4/08, estimated to be closed until 4/11.
- Newburgh Lock & Dam (OR776) closed above Evansville as of 4/06, expect to be closed until 4/10.
- John T. Meyers (OR 846) closed as of 4/8, estimated to be closed until 4/19.
- Smithland Lock & Dam (OR918) could close late this week, which would halt all transit into the Ohio River.
- Daylight restrictions are in effect at Cape Girardeau/Thebes Bridge (UM 50), Memphis (LM 725), and Vicksburg (LM 435)
- Delays may be seen from Catoosa (AK 445) thru Van Buren (AK 298)
- Baton Rouge will require an assist boat when the river reaches 35′ through the Baton Rouge bridges
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 Baton Rouge. 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 33-53% (10-16 barges)
- Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
- Mel Price Lock (UM 200) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, has now been extended to April 11th. April 8, 07:00: Passed 10 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 94.8 hours of delay. LPMS shows 12 tows waiting, which has an average of 49.2 hours of delay.
- Lock 27 (UM 185.5) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 9th at 1400. April 8, 07:00: Passed 9 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 52.2 hours of delay. LPMS shows 37 tows waiting, averaging 84.9 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, more info to come.
- New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – A scheduled primary chamber closure began at 0600 on February 28th thru May 28th to facilitate repairs. April 8, 07:00: Passed 1 tow in the last 24 hours, which averaged 1.30 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0 hours of delay.
- 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 8, 07:00, 2 tow passed in the last 24 hours, averaging 452.18 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 34 tows waiting that have averaged 475.05 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 11th starting at 1800 thru April 14th at 0600 – subject to change with current river conditions.
- 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 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 8, 07:00: Passed 26 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 7.4 hours of delay. LPMS shows 16 trains waiting, with an average of 28.5 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 8, 07:00: Passed 29 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 6.50 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0 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.
