The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) District’s Lock and Waterways Status Forecast as issued today (Monday, February 7, 2022) is here.
The updated or revised report details are highlighted in bold.
VARIOUS WATERWAYS:
The USACE reports various draft restrictions at Stouts Pass on the Atchafalaya River.
“Atchafalaya River is OPEN with draft and width restrictions at Stouts Pass due to shoaling.”
BAYOU SORREL LOCK:
The USACE updates mariners on the southwest guidewall replacement:
“Bayou Sorrel Lock’s Southwest Guidewall replacement will soon begin. The specific closure times and days have not been nailed down but the impact to navigation should be during the weekdays and daylight hours beginning sometime in March 2022 and continuing until approximately March 2023. Details will be coming soon and will be posted in a Navigation Bulletin and here.”
Older Notice on the condition of Bayou Sorrel Lock’s Southwest Guidewall:
“Bayou Sorrel Lock’s Southwest Guidewall was recently stabilized but is still in a state of incipient failure, which could result in a lock closure should it be impacted by transiting vessel traffic.
MARINERS ARE URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION while entering the lock to minimize possibility of impact to the guide wall. Navigation interests should consider using an assist vessel if they feel it is needed to avoid impacting the wall during transit.”
INNER HARBOR NAVIGATION CANAL (IHNC):
The USACE reports that daytime closures began today to allow repairs to the Canal end guidewall of the IHNC Lock, note below for exact details:
“Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock will have daytime closures to navigation beginning on Monday, 7 February 2022 and continuing through Friday, 11 February 2022, between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day for necessary repairs to the canal end guidewall.”
PORT ALLEN LOCK:
The repairs to the Stop Log Crane were schedule for completion yesterday, the restrictions are listed below:
“Port Allen Lock will be closed to navigation beginning on 4 February 2022 at 6:00 a.m., and continuing through 6 February 2022 at 5:00 p.m., for a U.S. Government Hired Labor Unit to make necessary repairs to the emergency stoplog crane.”
Older Notice Port Allen Lock’s NE Floating Guidewall is near repaired but has some remaining work to be addressed later.
As a result, the following restrictions are in place until further notice:
WESTBOUND RESTRICTIONS
All tows with more than one barge are required to use an assist vessel with a line attached at the head of the tow.”
OLD RIVER LOCK:
The Old River Lock will be operated with the restrictions noted below as the emergency bulkhead repairs have resumed and been extended, completion is still expected by February 28, 2022.
“During operation times, the following restrictions/instructions are required for passage:
- Tows are to enter the Lock at DEAD SLOW speed.
- All tows are restricted to no longer than 1100’ in length.
- All tows will line up along the floating guide wall before proceeding.
- Two line-handlers with life vests and bumpers will be required on both approach and exiting of the Lock.
- Vessels must be moored by bow and stern lines to floating timberheads.”
BAYOU BEOUF LOCK:
The chamber guidewall repairs at the Bayou Beouf Lock continue, the repair work will be conducted during scheduled daylight closures to navigation from Monday through Friday until approximately February 28, 2022.
“Bayou Boeuf Lock is closed to navigation from 7 am until 7 pm (Daylight Hours), Mondays thru Fridays until approximately 28 February 2022 to construct the new south side chamber guide wall.”
CALCASIEU LOCK:
The USACE advises mariner to avoid contact with the Northeast Long Wall Dolphin and to exercise extreme caution in the vicinity of this Wall.
“At Calcasieu Lock until further notice, Mariners are advised to avoid contact with the Northeast Long Wall Dolphin and to use extreme caution when in the vicinity of that wall. This is due to corrosion and degradation of a portion of the structural sheet pile skin plate that a survey indicated exists just below the waterline.”
ALGIERS LOCK:
The USACE advises that the Algiers Lock is open to navigation with normal locking hours with the following restrictions:
“Algiers Lock is currently open to navigation with normal locking hours. Do not attempt to pivot on the guidewall, therefore, vessels must flatten-out before making contact with the guidewall. Continuing until further notice mariners are advised to avoid the dolphin at the end of the canal end long guide wall; the dolphin is unstable and a hazard to mariners.”
Tow restrictions are still in place in both directions to a maximum width and length of 54 feet W by 700 feet L or 70 feet W by 600 feet L.
Mariners are advised to continue to avoid the end of the long, river end, guide wall, which is also unstable and a hazard to mariners.”
