Draught limits tighten on lower Mississippi River

The US Coast Guard (USGC) placed further restrictions on traffic on the lower Mississippi River as water levels continue to deteriorate.

The USCG on 22 September announced that all northbound traffic cannot have draught deeper than 9.5ft from Tunica, Louisiana, to Greenville, Mississippi. For Greenville to Tiptonville, Mississippi, barges must remain above a 9ft draught, the shallowest draught channel allowed for the lower Mississippi River by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

All northbound transit also cannot load more than four barges wide or configure more than five barges wide.

Southbound traffic from Tiptonville to Greenville cannot be more than six barges wide or deeper than 9.5ft. Greenville to Tunica southbound barges can load as deep as 10ft but cannot be more than seven barges wide.

All locations between Cairo, Illinois, and Greenville fell back to their low water threshold over the weekend as rainfall from Hurricane Francine flowed down the river.

More grain has moved downriver this year compared with last year as the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects higher US grain exports in the 2024-25 marketing year. Around 367,000 short tons of grain moved for the week ended 14 September, which is about double the same period a year earlier, the USDA said. Both south and northbound movement is expected to see a heavier pace in October.

By Meghan Yoyotte