The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) District’s Lock and Waterway Status 60-Day Forecast as issued today (Wednesday, January 27, 2021) is here.
The updated or revised status reports are highlighted in bold and lists conditions on the Old River, Port Allen, Algiers and Bayou Beouf Locks and the East and West Calumet Floodgates.
OLD RIVER LOCK:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of reinstalling the tainter valve at the Old River Lock, the repairs will require closures of the Lock during daylight hours from February 3 to February 28 (2021). The required closures could last up to 12-hours at a time, the following details are reproduced from the attached Forecast:
“At Old River Lock, commencing on or about 3 February 2021 and continuing through approximately 28 February 2021, mariners will be subject to intermittent delays to navigation (up to 12 hours) due to necessary work required to re-install a tainter valve. The closures will occur during daylight hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.”
The transit restrictions required during the continuing repairs to the Lowering Carriage at the Old River Lock noted below were previously extended until approximately April 30, 2021:
“Tows entering Old River Lock are urged to use extreme caution while approaching and entering the lock chamber. Until approximately 30 April 2021, 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 guidewall 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.”
PORT ALLEN LOCK:
The damaged sections of the floating guidewall at the Port Allen Lock that was partially blocking the channel has been removed. The transit restrictions listed below are now in effect:
“At Port Allen Lock, the damaged section of wood and plastic timber that was hanging into the forebay and partially blocking the channel has been removed. The damaged section will be marked with 4 white flashing lights at night. Until permanent repairs are made, the following restrictions will apply until further notice:
WESTBOUND RESTRICTIONS
* The restriction on tow length has been lifted.
* All tows with more than one barge are required to use an assist vessel.
* Single barge tows will be permitted to lock westbound without an assist vessel.
EASTBOUND RESTRICTIONS
* Tows greater than 650’ long are required to use an assist vessel on the head of the tow once they exit the lock into the river in order to steer clear of the damaged area at the end of the guide wall.”
ALGIERS LOCK:
The Algiers Lock continues to operate with special restrictions in place due the unstable condition of the dolphin structure adjacent to the upstream river end guide wall:
“Algiers Lock is currently open to navigation with normal locking hours of operation. However, tows are restricted 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. It is unstable and a hazard to mariners.”
BAYOU BOEUF LOCK:
The replacement of the Bayou Boeuf Lock’s Chamber Guide Wall continues with intermittent daytime closures scheduled to be completed in May 30, 2021 with full details reproduced below:
“Bayou Boeuf Lock is closed to navigation from 7 am until 7 pm (Daylight Hours), Mondays thru Thursdays until approximately 30 May 2021 to construct the new south side chamber guide wall.”
EAST and WEST CALUMET FLOODGATES:
The East and West Calumet Floodgates remain closed due to heavy siltation in the channel:
“Continuing until further notice, East and West Calumet Floodgate will remain closed to navigation due to heavy siltation in the channel making it unsafe for navigation.”
