Ice buildup on the Ohio River is slowing barge traffic, following temporary lock shutdowns that created vessel backlogs along the waterway, according to notices from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the US Coast Guard.
Severe cold weather has frozen portions of the river, making navigation difficult, especially for heavy barge tows. The Willow Island Locks and Dam in Reno, Ohio, was temporarily closed on 28 January after ice in the main chamber prevented its miter gates from operating. USACE officials said the issue was resolved on Monday afternoon and nine tows have since transitted the lock as of Tuesday.
Navigation challenges, however, persist across the Ohio River. The USACE's Huntington district has imposed tow-size restrictions between miles 161.7 and 436.2. Under these limits, towboats and their assembled tows must not exceed 1,050ft in length or 105ft in width. The US Coast Guard has also issued a number of safety advisories and barge tow restrictions across multiple points along the Ohio Valley.
The restrictions follow a week of extreme winter weather and hazardous ice that reduced maneuverability and limited how many barges can safely transit the river. The combination of ice, reduced tow sizes, and temporary delays is creating congestion, even with the Willow Island lock back on line. The USACE's lock queue report showed delays of nearly three days at the Willow Island locks as of Tuesday. The National Weather Service forecasts near-normal to below-normal temperatures across the western portion of the region from 8-12 February.
