Mariner Input Sought For Western Rivers ATON Study

The Coast Guard is seeking input until July 1, 2018, for a study of navigation requirements for the entire Western Rivers System.

The Coast Guard Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) study will review the Western Rivers Aids to Navigation (ATON) System.

The ATON system on the Western Rivers differs from the U.S. Coastal ATON System due to the unstable nature of the river and channels, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard operates this system on the Mississippi River from Upper Mississippi River Mile 857 to Lower Mississippi River Mile 155 and on its tributaries.

The system also includes the following rivers and waterways:

• Port Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route (Louisiana) ;

• A portion of the Atchafalaya River above its junction with the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route including the Old River and the New River;

• The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (Mississippi);

• Tombigbee River ((Mississippi-Alabama);

• Black Warrior River (Alabama);

• Alabama River;

• Coosa River (Alabama);

• Mobile River above Cochrane Bridge at St. Louis Point; and

• Flint River.

Interested mariners and maritime stakeholders can provide input at www.surveymonkey.com/r/WRWAMS.

In addition to reviewing input from the survey, the WAMS study will analyze cargo data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne Statistics Center. Automatic Identification System (AIS) marine traffic data will also be analyzed and compared with environmental conditions, such as ice and water levels. 

The Western Rivers study is the third of a series of Coast Guard navigation systems reviews. The first study identified requirements for the Atlantic and Gulf Seacoast, and the second study is reviewing navigation requirements for the Pacific Seacoast and islands.