River Closures and Restricted Movements

Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland

  • McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) – The North (river) chamber will be closed from March 30th thru April 30th for miter gate repairs. All traffic should utilize the South (land) Chamber during this time.
  • Markland Lock Closure (OR 531.5) – Beginning March 9th thru April 17th, the primary chamber will be closed for repairs to the miter gate. All traffic will utilize the auxiliary chamber.
  • 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.
  • C.W. Bill Young Lock Closure (AR 14.5) – The Allegheny River lock will be closed for maintenance from March 16th thru April 10th. A full river closure will be in effect during this period.

Chicago/Illinois/Upper Miss

  • 2026 Planned Illinois River Lockport Closure – Closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, starting March 31st, 2026, thru May 19th, 2026. Click here for our full guidance.
  • Illinois River Lockport Re-Opening – ACBL has distributed our annual guidance for accepting release dates above Lockport Lock. Click here for our full guidance.

Lower Miss/Gulf/Canals/Tenn Tom

  • 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 has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14% (5 barges)
    • 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.
  • Harvey Canal Closures (LM 98.3) – Daily closures will occur March 6th thru April 6th, seven days a week, from 0700–1100 and 1300–1800, to complete emergent water line repairs near the Lapalco Sector Gate.
  • Port Allen Channel Closures (PA 63.7) – Daily closures from 0700-1800, March 16th thru March 20th, for demolition of the old LA Hwy 1 Bridge.
  • Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (Industrial Canal Lock EC 1) – Beginning March 16th, instillation of barges moored end-to-end to pilings in the area to protect the St. Claude Ave bridge piers. More info to come.
  • Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Closures are scheduled to begin in early April, Monday-Friday, between 1800 and 0600, to allow for repair work.
  • Calcasieu Lock North Chamber Wall Replacement (WC 238) – Beginning in May 2026, the Calcasieu Lock will have daytime closures Monday thru Friday, expected to last approximately six months.