River Levels Under Watch Despite Rain

Industry representatives are keeping a close eye out to see if seasonal low-water conditions reach extremes again this year, but recent rainfall has helped.

Donnie Williams, chairman of the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), said conditions remain generally manageable for navigation currently.

“The Memphis gauge reaching zero is a notable benchmark, but we are not currently seeing the widespread operational challenges experienced during the more severe low-water events of recent years,” he said.

Significant rainfall across the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins in the past week has helped the short-term outlook, with forecasts indicating the Cairo gauge is expected to rise to approximately 27 feet and the Memphis gauge to 11 feet. With that rise, LOMRC does not anticipate any Lower Mississippi River draft or tow-size restrictions over the next several weeks.

“The additional water should provide ample channel depth and improve operating conditions throughout the corridor,” he said.

However, the industry continues to “closely monitor” known trouble areas, including the Hickman hard point near Hickman, Ky., and other historically restrictive reaches.

An earlier-than-normal corn and soybean harvest also increases the importance of maintaining channel reliability as grain movements accelerate, he said.

Williams noted that the Corps of Engineers has been proactive, with dredging recently completed near Lower Mississippi Mile 695 and the dredge then planned to move to Mile 590 and Mile 480 to maintain channel dimensions and support navigation.

Williams said there were not any indicators suggesting saltwater intrusion concerns similar to those in recent years. That could mean it will not be necessary for the Corps of Engineers to build a saltwater sill this year to retard the flow of the saltwater wedge. Emergency sills were constructed every year from 2022 through 2025.

On the Upper Mississippi, the Coast Guard sent out a notice that the Dredge Goetz would be conducting dredging operations at Mile 194. As a result, the Upper Chain of Rocks Canal Entrance was to be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day for tows, although recreational traffic was still able to pass the dredge.

“River forecasts over the next several weeks will be the key factor in determining whether this remains a seasonal low-water event or develops into something more significant,” Williams said.