Latest Hydrograph Forecast Update to Mississippi River
Waterways Council Release
28 December 2012
In an effort to keep members informed of the ever-changing
hydrograph forecasts, yesterday the Corps of Engineers again
released water storage from Carlyle Lake. The latest
projections indicate that this release, along with the current
weather forecast, will cause the river gauge at Thebes to reach 3
(10-foot depth) around January 7; 2 (9-foot depth) around January
15, and 1 (8-foot depth) around January 23. The Corps also
suggests that its rock pinnacle removal efforts may begin to have
an impact on the controlling depths around January 20, but that is
still to be determined.
The continued uncertainty regarding what drafts will be available
continues to choke freight movements just as much as the low water
itself. Without certainty that the water will be there when
barges reach Thebes, shippers continue to light-load based on
worst-case scenarios, or continue to cancel trips
altogether.
WCI and other stakeholders continue to press the White House,
Congress and the States for assurances that the water will be
there when barge shipments arrive in order to prevent economic
loss. We will continue to keep you informed.