This article has been reprinted from the June 13 USDA Grain Transportation Report.
On June 8, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported the Mississippi River at St. Louis had crested at 46 feet.
Barge traffic through St. Louis is still prohibited until the river level falls below 38 feet.
As of June 13, the St. Louis level is 44 feet and the NWS forecasts the river will drop below the 38 foot level, by June 19.
Many locks on the Mississippi River are closed, stopping down-bound grain barges originating on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers from reaching the Lower Mississippi River.
Flood waters have also stopped navigation on the Arkansas River.
Barge traffic on the Lower Mississippi River has been disrupted by reduced tow sizes and transit being restricted to daylight hours under certain bridges.