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ACBL’s Daily River Conditions

Sunday, April 20th, 2025

Due to recent heavy rainfall, the Ohio River is experiencing a historical flooding event. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the entire region, with water levels expected to continue rising. As a result, we anticipate the following disruptions:

USCG Lock Restrictions/Closures:

  • Locks along the Ohio River have implemented daylight only restrictions and others will be closed to ensure safety and prevent damage. This will affect navigation and cause delays in transit.
    • John T. Meyers (OR 846) Resumed Locking at 1400 on 4/19, southbound traffic will lock for the first 12 hours, then northbound traffic will transit for 12 hours.
  • Daylight restrictions are in effect at Memphis (LM 725) and Vicksburg (LM 435)
  • Baton Rouge will require an assist boat when the river reaches 35′ through the Baton Rouge bridges

Dock and Port Services: Flooding conditions will cause some docks and fleeting locations to suspend operations. For questions regarding individual locations, please reach out to your local contacts.

We understand that these disruptions may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. The situation is rapidly evolving as additional rains continue. There will be another industry call on Monday to discuss additional closures and how this will affect the Cairo area and Lower Mississippi region. Expect immediate and major impacts to all areas from the Upper Ohio to Baton Rouge. Our team is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions change.

If you have any questions regarding freight destined to the Ohio River or need further assistance, please contact your Salesperson or Customer Experience Specialist.

  • Lower Miss Operational Impact –
    • Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
      • Loading drafts were reduced to 20% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
      • Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 33-53% (10-16 barges)
      • Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
  • Mel Price Lock (UM 200) – Both chambers were open as of April 15th at 0730. April 18th 07:00: Passed 9 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 6.4 hours of delay. LPMS shows 6 tows waiting, which has an average of 19.8 hours of delay.
  • New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – A scheduled primary chamber closure began at 0600 on February 28th thru May 28th to facilitate repairs. April 18th 07:00: Passed 3 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 4.90 hours of delay. LPMS shows 2 tows waiting, averaging 19.5 hours of delay.
  • Tennessee-Tombigbee Channel Closure (TT 410) – The navigation channel will be closed from 0700-1900 beginning March 29th thru approx. April 19th for strike removal.
  • Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) -Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due to cracks in miter gate pintle, repair time is now estimated to be June 14, 2025. April 18th 07:00, 0 tow passed in the last 24 hours, averaging 0 hours of delay. LPMS shows 34 tows waiting, which has an average of 221.40 hours of delay.
  • Kentucky Lock Closure (TR 22.4) – Intermittent daily closures for repairs have been cancelled. There will be a full closure now beginning May 2nd at 0600 thru May 15th at 1800.
  • Cheatham Lock Closure (CR 148.7) – Lock will be closed for scheduled repairs from March 3rd thru May 29th, 2025, with interim openings:
    • Opening 4: May 1st starting at 1800 thru May 5th at 0600.
    • Opening 5: May 15th starting at 1800 thru May 19th at 0600.
  • Port Allen Lock (LM 228.4) – April 18th, delays of 9-10 hours have been reported over the past 24 hours.
  • Algiers Lock Closure (LM 88.0) April 18th, delays of 6-7 hours have been reported over the past 24 hours.
  • Morley Lift Bridge Closures (PA 56) – There will be scheduled intermittent closures for several repairs:
    • April 17th: 16-hour closure from 1900-1100
    • May 1st: 16-hour closure from 1900-1100
    • May 15th: 16-hour closure from 1900-1100
    • May 22nd: 16-hour closure from 1900-1100
  • Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock) – (EC001) – April 18th, delays of 18-20 hours have been reported over the past 24 hours.
  • Colorado River Locks (WC 440) – The East and West locks will have daytime restrictions Monday through Friday, January 29th thru May 16th. April 18th 07:00: Passed 18 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 6.20 hours of delay. LPMS shows 1 tow waiting, averaging 22.00 hours of delay.
  • Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure August 31st, 2023, thru April 30, 2025. April 18th 07:00: Passed 39 tows in the last 24 hours, which averaged 9.40 hours of delay. LPMS shows 3 tows waiting, averaging 20.50 hours of delay.
  • Leland Bowman Lock Closure (WC 163) – Daytime closures Monday thru Friday, from 0700-18:30, beginning March 24th thru April 25th for various repairs.

River Closure & Restricted Movements

Lower Miss/Gulf/Canals/Tenn Tom
Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland

Weather Information

Precipitation Forecast Inland Waterway Weather Report National Hurricane Center

Additional Information

River Stages Lock Closures and Information Archive

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