INNER HARBOR NAVIGATION CANAL (IHNC):
The USACE reports damage to mooring bits on the Canal end of the IHNC Lock, note below for exact details:
“Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock mariners are advised that the mooring bits located in the long guidewall on the canal end of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock are very unstable; you may use the wall to line up on when locking but DO NOT tie off on the mooring bits.
PORT ALLEN LOCK:
The repairs to the floating guidewall are almost completed, the restrictions are listed below:
“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.
• Single barge tows will be permitted to lock westbound without an assist vessel.
• Do not attempt to “pivot” on the guidewall, therefore, vessels must flatten-out before making contact with the guidewall.”
BAYOU BEOUF LOCK:
The chamber guidewall repairs at the Bayou Beouf Lock have resumed, the repair work will be conducted during scheduled daylight closures to navigation from Monday through Friday until approximately October 31, 2021.
“Bayou Boeuf Lock is closed to navigation from 7 am until 7 pm (Daylight Hours), Mondays thru Fridays until approximately 31 October 2021 to construct the new south side chamber guide wall.”
OLD RIVER LOCK:
The Old River Lock will be operated with the restrictions noted below as the emergency bulkhead repairs resume, completion is now expected by September 30, 2021.
“The Old River Lock emergency bulkhead lowering carriage repairs, and the locking procedures have been extended through 30 September 2021.
Until approximately 30 Sept 2021, the following restrictions/instructions are required for passage:
1. Tows are to enter the Lock at DEAD SLOW speed.
2. All tows are restricted to no longer than 1100’ in length.
3. All tows will line up along the floating guide wall before proceeding.
4. Two line-handlers with life vests and bumpers will be required on both approach and exiting of the Lock.
5. Vessels must be moored by bow and stern lines to floating timberheads.”
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ALGIERS LOCK:
The Algiers Lock continues to operate during normal locking hours and mariners are advised to avoid the unstable dolphin structure adjacent to the upstream river end guidewall:
“Algiers Lock is currently open to navigation with normal locking hours of operation. Continuing until further notice, mariners are advised to avoid the dolphin at the end of the canal end long guidewall; 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.”
The following additional information offering a status update of multiple navigation channels was attached to today’s report:
MVN NAVIGATION STATUS DASHBOARD
13 September 2021, 0800
2021 Hurricane Season Reporting
The Mississippi River is now OPEN throughout MVN without restrictions;
Mariners are advised to exercise caution in the vicinity of underwater obstructions GIWW is OPEN throughout MVN except the following:
- GIWW is CLOSED from MM 18 WHL to MM 20 WHL due to shoaling.
- GIWW is OPEN with Restrictions from MM 21 to 33 WHL due to shoaling and debris. 5 work units with 6 excavators, 1 bucket dredge plus a clamshell bucket arrived onsite late on 07 and 08 Sept 2021 and began removal of the shoal/debris at MM 19.5 WHL. An additional bucket dredge from MVK ARRIVED on site 11 Sept 2021.
A contract cutterhead dredge is scheduled to arrive on site 15-16 Sept 2021, PENDING contract modification completion, to address both reaches of shoaling. MVD approved repurposing supplemental funds to cover the initial immediate funding need. Completion of dredging operations at MM 19.5 is expected to be at END of September; Dredging operations from MM 21 to 33 WHL is expected to take a month (Completion ~ 31 October 2021); US Coast Guard – MSU Houma set ONE WAY traffic restrictions in the vicinity of MM 21-24 WHL due to significant tree debris and set ONE WAY traffic and draft of 7 feet restrictions between MM 25-33 WHL due to a NEW reported shoaling 2000 on 07 Sept 2021; GIWW Morgan City to Port Allen Alternate Route is now OPEN.
Atchafalaya River is OPEN with restrictions at Stouts Pass due to shoaling.
The Houma Navigation Canal is OPEN North of Bayou Provost; Bayou Lafourche is now OPEN south of Leeville as of 2000 hrs, 07 Sept 2021 and The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) is CLOSED. Belle Pass is now OPEN for 24/7 Operations as of 2200 11 Sept 2021;
Port Fourchon is now OPEN for 24/7 Operations as of 2200 11 Sept 2021; Obstruction Removal and Dredging Coordination ongoing on SE Waterways
