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Barge Traffic On Mississippi River Picks Back Up As Drought Ebbs

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Barge Traffic On Mississippi River Picks Back Up As Drought Ebbs
A series of barges carrying soybeans makes its way through Lock and Dam Number 25 along the Mississippi River outside Winfield, Mo. (Photo courtesy of Mike Steenhoek, Soy Transportation Coalition)

Ample precipitation and snowmelt the past two months across the Mississippi River basin has brought the major shipping route back to normal capacity after hitting historically low levels the past two years.  However, Soy Transportation Coalition executive director Mike Steenhoek cautions that levels are still lower than normal and could fall below acceptable low water levels if we have a dry spring.

Steenhoek says the basin will need even more moisture, as fields throughout the Central U.S. remain parched.

Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition adds that eyes also remain on the Panama Canal, which is running 25 percent below capacity because of their drought situation.

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