Depth of Mississippi River has barges carrying less cargo
9/22/2023 12:00:00 AM
CATEGORIES:
Business & Industry
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Arkansas
Illinois
Kentucky
Louisiana
Missouri
Mississippi
Tennessee
Start Date: 9/10/2023
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Barge companies have to lighten loads on the Mississippi River due to hot, dry weather, making it more costly to transport grain and other goods on the river. The cargo rate from St. Louis downriver was up 77% above the three-year average. The shipping lane is also narrower, meaning fewer barges can be lashed together.
The Associated Press (Des Moines, Iowa), Sept 17, 2023
Barges on the Mississippi River already must lighten their loads to reduce their draft as the level of the Mississippi River has been declining since June. The Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois fell nearly 10 feet in the last two weeks of August and was expected to continue to drop. Low levels on the Mississippi River will probably affect industry and navigation, per NIDIS. Seventeen dredges were working to maintain the navigation channel.
USA Today (McLean, Va.), Sept 10, 2023
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