According to today's USDA Grain Transportation Report, as of May 13, the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) has reopened to barge traffic.
Above St. Louis, MO, barge traffic had halted since April 23, when high water from spring flooding forced several locks to close. Lock and Dam 16, near Illinois City, IL, was the last site to reopen on May 13.
Barge traffic may take a few weeks to normalize.
From June 1 to September 30, three lock-and-dam locations on the Illinois River will close for upgrades and repairs: Brandon Road, Dresden Island, and Marseilles.
Given the projects’ significant lead time, impacts to agriculture should be minimal. Grain elevators along the river are well prepared, and the work should be completed before the fall harvest.