Additional draft, tow size restrictions for the lower Mississippi River
9/25/2025 12:00:00 AM
CATEGORIES:
Business & Industry
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Arkansas
Illinois
Kentucky
Louisiana
Missouri
Mississippi
Tennessee
Start Date: 9/15/2025
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The low level of the Mississippi River led the U.S. Coast Guard to impose additional draft and tow size restrictions on the lower Mississippi River on September 15. More barges were needed to carry the same quantity of cargo, and more boats will be needed to move smaller groups of barges. Traffic strains have driven barge rates higher.
Southbound grain traffic has already declined steeply. In a little more than a month, total southbound Mississippi River grain shipments have plummeted from 2.4 short tons to 502,000 short tons, a 79% drop.
Since the end of July, the level of the Mississippi River at St. Louis has fallen more than 22 feet, which is a nearly 95% drop in less than two months.
American Farm Bureau Federation (Washington, D.C.), Sep 24, 2025
Sources
