Mississippi River operations expand dredging assignments to keep navigation open

Dredging operations on the Mississippi River are expanding in order to keep the channel open for the myriad of mariners passing through the region. The Lower Mississippi has felt the effects of a drought that has resulted in exceedingly low water levels in both the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers. The Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), along with the United States Coast Guard, has urged ships making use of the rivers to exercise extreme caution when passing by the dredging operations.

State officials warn of no rain forecast for the region in the coming weeks

Several concerns have been raised due to the extremely low water levels that forced officials to implement significant draft and tow restrictions in the Lower Mississippi. Donnie Williams, chairman of the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), noted that a predicted frontal system coming across the Upper Mississippi in the coming days will not alleviate the situation.

“It’s not enough to turn anything around, but it may slow the recession downriver some. The next couple of weeks, there’s no real relief in sight.” – Donnie Williams, chairman of the Lower Mississippi River Committee

That sentiment has been echoed by David Welch, development and operations hydrologist for the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. He noted that 16-day and two-day Mississippi River forecasts were basically the same, and that consistent low-flow conditions upstream will result in the water levels in the Lower Mississippi remaining low.

“Stages look to remain below 10 feet at Cairo for the next 28 days,” – David Welch, development and operations hydrologist for the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center

24-hour dredging on site will continue for the foreseeable future

The only recourse that can be taken is to dredge nonstop on site. And thanks to the United States Army Corps of Engineers, that is exactly what is happening. The LOMRC, working in tandem with the Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers, set restrictions on traffic on the Lower Mississippi, effective September 19, while they make arrangements for dredging to begin on site.

The restrictions for the problem areas on the Lower Mississippi were as follows:

• Southbound drafts were to be 10 feet and a maximum of six barges wide from the confluence of the Ohio River at Cairo, Ill., down to Mile 483 (Lake Providence).
• From Mile 483 south, the maximum draft was set at 10 feet, 6 inches, and a maximum width of six barges.
• Northbound traffic from Mile 303 (Old River) to Cairo was restricted to a 9-foot draft and a maximum width of six empty barges or four loaded barges, with tows to be no more than seven barges long.

Dredging operations continue thanks to two dredges, the Jadwin and Potter

The dredge Jadwin arrived at Mile 710 (Nelms) on September 17 and was expected to dredge for the next seven days, with rolling river closures taking place as needed between Miles 708 and 712. While the dredge Potter arrived on September 15 at a major trouble spot at Hickman, Kentucky, to continue dredging operations for about a week along the right descending bank. The USACE has been kept very busy in the past few months.

Restrictions remain in place while dredging continues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

While the tow and draft restrictions limit the pace and amount of goods that can be transported along the Lower Mississippi, it is deemed necessary to keep the river in an acceptable state. Whenever tow and draft restrictions are implemented, they come with a plan to work on the site and alleviate the pressure put on mariners who use the channel. The LOMRC and the USACE are dredging nonstop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to get the river back to full flow. But without the assistance of Mother Nature, their efforts might be in vain.