UMR Lock Closures Extended

The Upper Mississippi River remains closed to traffic above St. Louis, with the reopening dates of several locks pushed further back due to continued high water and more expected rainfall. Significant ice- and snowmelt from record snowfalls in the upper Midwest continues to swell the Missouri and Upper Mississippi rivers. 

Locks 12 and 13 were not expected to reopen before April 20, while Locks 16 and 17 are closed until April 24. Lock 18, closed since March 18, is now expected to reopen on April 22. Lock 22, closed on March 20, was expected to reopen April 21, while Lock 20 will remain closed until April 26.   

Daylight-only barge transits through St. Louis and under the Thebes, Ill., bridge are expected to last until the end of April.

Tow sizes continue to be reduced to 12 barges on the Illinois River, and by one string (five barges) on the Mississippi from St. Louis to Cairo, Ill.

On the Ohio River, the Montgomery Lock’s main chamber will be closed at least until April 24 due to ongoing repairs to lower wall, with one lockage every two hours between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Additional lockages will be performed 2 and 6 p.m.