Coast Guard Issues Waterway Restriction In St. Louis Harbor

The Coast Guard has issued a waterway restriction to all vessel traffic in St. Louis Harbor for September 2 and 3.

The waterway restriction closes the river to all commercial and recreational vessel traffic while the Corps of Engineers dredge Potter conducts dredging operations from the McKinley Bridge, Upper Mississippi River Mile 182.5, to the Merchants Bridge, Mile 183.2. A safety zone will be established to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards from dredging operations.   

In order for vessels to move within the closure zone, operators must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port’s representative at the Sector Upper Mississippi River Command Center, via VHF Channel 16 or by calling 314-269-2332. The Captain of the Port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-case basis.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port determines when to issue a river closure by following a waterways action plan, which provides the marine industry, the  Coast Guard and state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic.