The US Coast Guard today closed a portion of the Mississippi river near St. Louis, Missouri, because of extremely high water levels and fast moving currents.
Vessel traffic is currently prohibited from mile marker 179 to 184.
The Coast Guard said it would lift the restrictions "as soon as conditions improve."
Requests to move within the closed area will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the coast guard captain responsible for that section of the river, the Coast Guard said.
The river will remain closed until water levels fall below 38 feet, which is forecast to happen some time from 9-19 May, according to barge operator ACBL.
Recent spring rainfall and record amounts of snow this winter have resulted in flooding and vessel traffic restrictions on the upper Mississippi river. River traffic has been halted north of St Louis as rains and heavy snow/ice melt contribute to high water conditions.
Heavy rains in the Illinois river watershed have also impacted barge traffic headed to and from Chicago, with limited-to-no barge movement from mile markers 231-291 because of lock closures
