As of October 17, rain in the central U.S. caused flooding that closed 7 locks on the upper Mississippi River.
According to the USDA's Grain Transportation Report, the closure affects a 184-mile stretch, from Muscatine, IA, to Clarksville, MO.
Down-bound grain traffic continues on the open sections of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers. However, barge grain tonnages are down 22% for the first two weeks of October, compared to the 3-year average for the same period. While weather conditions have slowed traffic, barge operators say the reduction in tonnage is mainly due to reduced demand for soybeans.
During the first half of October, soybean barge tonnages are down 59%, compared to the 3-year average. Corn barge shippers are using barge capacity normally used by soybean shippers.
Corn barge tonnages during the first half of October are up 52% compared to the 3-year average.
Forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate a complete reopening of the river may not occur until the week of October 22.
