Harvey Lock Closes Due To Low Water

Harvey Lock, Lower Mississippi River mile 98.3, has closed to navigation because of low Mississippi River stages and reverse head risks to the lock gates.

The Corps of Engineers announced the closure September 9.

The Harvey Lock is located on the west bank of the Lower Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish, across the river from New Orleans. It connects the Mississippi River to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via the Harvey Canal.

When the Harvey Lock closes, the Algiers Lock at Mile 88.0 above Head of Passes serves as the primary detour.

The Corps also updated operations at other key facilities within the region.

Algiers Lock is experiencing surges in the lock chamber due to low water in the Mississippi River and the Algiers Canal. All tows are advised to enter the lock chamber at slow speed. If they experience a surge, it is recommended that they back out slowly while maintaining control to allow the surge to settle.

From September 10 through October 20, dredging will take place in the approach channels of East and West Calumet floodgates on Tayou Teche at Wax Lake Outlet during daylight hours seven days a week. The Corps requested use of extreme caution when operating in the vicinity of dredging operations.

The East Calumet floodgates are closed until further notice due to conditions. The West Calumet floodgates are open but with variable opening width due to conditions.

Daytime closures at Calcasieu Lock are expected to continue through approximately September 18. When work is being performed, the lock is closed to navigation Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is to allow major repairs to the north chamber wall.

Ongoing cautions or restrictions also remain in place at Algiers Lock, Calcasieu Lock, Port Allen Lock and the IHNC Lock.

Real-time New Orleans Engineer District lock status updates are available at https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/lockstatus/.