American Currents
ACBL’s Daily River Conditions
Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
As part of our annual financial and operational compliance cycle, American Commercial Barge Line is partnering with EY to complete the 2025 audit confirmations. If your organization is selected for verification, EY may contact you directly to validate account activity or balances. This process helps ensure transparency, accuracy, and continued trust in our reporting. We appreciate your quick attention to any requests and thank you for supporting a smooth audit cycle.
- Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – The scheduled closure from May 18th through approx. September 18th, has been rescheduled to begin on 5/20. Calcasieu Lock will have daytime closures Monday through Friday from 0700-1900 for major repairs to the north chamber wall. The maritime industry anticipates these closures will result in significant delays of 3-5 days. ACBL will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates and additional information as it becomes available.
- May 20th 03:00: Passed 33 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 4.5 hours of delay. LPMS shows 14 tows waiting, averaging 19.6 hours of delay.
- Lansing Bridge (UM 663) – Beginning May 18th thru May 27th, no southbound traffic from 0700-1600 each day.
- Lock 25 Closure (UM 241.1) – Scheduled closure from 0700-1700 on May 21st for repairs.
- Illinois River Lockport Re-Opening – The lock opened as planned on May 19th at 1800.
- Lower Miss Operational Impact –
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Loading drafts are not currently reduced NBD Gulf to Cairo.
- Tow size is not currently reduced pending horsepower classification.
- Normal Water Stages:
- Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): 20′ – 5′
- Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): 40′ – 20′
- Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): 30′ – 10′
- Low Water Stages:
- Caruthersville to Memphis (LM 869- 725): Below 5′
- Memphis to Vicksburg (LM 725 – 439): Below 20′
- Vicksburg to Natchez (LM 439- 303): Below 10′
- For current river stage information, please refer to the links at the bottom of this page.
- Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft restrictions listed below.
- Smithland Lock Closure (OR 918.5) – There will be electrical testing from May 26th thru June 5th. There will be a Full closure of both chambers from May 27th thru May 29th from 0700-1700 each day.
- Montgomery Lock Closures (OR 31.7) – 24-hour closures, beginning at 0700, are scheduled on the following dates in support of ongoing contractor work:
- May: 21st, 27th, 30th
- June: 2nd, 8th, 11th, 15th, 18th
- Emsworth Lock Closures (OR 6.2) – Beginning April 27th thru Sept. 4th, the auxiliary chamber will be closed daily from 0600 to 2359, and the primary chamber will have intermittent closures for filling valve maintenance. Primary chamber tow restriction: max tow width of 78 feet.
- May 20th 03:00: Passed 5 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 0.8 hours of delay. LPMS shows 0 tows waiting, averaging 0 hours of delay.
- Kentucky Lock (TR 22.3) – Lock Closure June 15th thru June 29th to facilitate miter gate gearbox replacement. Vessels may use Barkley Lock and the Barkley Canal as alternate route.
- Glover Wilkins Lock Closure (TTW 376.3) – Scheduled 30-day closure for routine maintenance will occur from September 9th thru October 10th.
- Thad Cochran Lock Closure (TTW 371.1) – Scheduled 30-day closure for routine maintenance will occur from September 10th thru October 10th.
- Port Allen Lock (LM 228.4) – Intermittent closures will occur for approx. two weeks starting in early June to replace the tainter valve. More info to come.
- Bayou Sorrel Lock (PA 36.7) – Daytime closures scheduled Monday–Friday, May 26th thru approx. July 3rd.
- Colorado River Locks Closures (WC 441.5) – Daytime closures scheduled May 12th thru May 24th, 0700-1900, for sand and silt removal from sector gate recesses.
- May 20th 03:00: Passed 12 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 10.55 hours of delay. LPMS shows 3 tows waiting, averaging 20.25 hours of delay.
- Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – As of April 1st, closures are scheduled through June 26th, Monday-Friday, between 1900 and 0700, to allow for repair work.
- May 20th 03:00: Passed 28 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 116.8 hours of delay. LPMS shows 13 tows waiting, averaging 78.5 hours of delay.
- Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) – Daytime closures from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, will resume on April 13th thru approx. May 1st for river end guide-wall work.
- May 20th 03:00: Passed 13 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 19.8 hours of delay. LPMS shows 6 tows waiting, averaging 19.5 hours of delay.
Links to Current River Stages:
- Mississippi River:
- Ohio River:
