Due to the continued extreme low water conditions, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg District (District) and its partners are working diligently to maintain continued access to ports and navigational channels throughout the District’s area of responsibility.
The historic flood of 2011displaced more than average sediment deposits in the river channel and ports. The current extreme low water conditions and decreased river flow drastically affect normal sediment movement and make normal dredging extremely difficult.
The Dredge Jadwin is currently working at the Lakeport area on the Mississippi River which is approximately 5 miles south of the Highway 82 bridge near Greenville, Mississippi.
The District has contracted dredging companies to assist with the task of dredging shallow draft harbors and ports in the area. The Dredge Butcher, operated by the Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company, is currently at Lake Providence Harbor until late September.
The Dredge America, operated by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, is currently dredging at Blue Cane on the Ouachita/Black River, with an estimated completion date of 30 August. The Dredge Integrity, operated by the Inland Dredging Company, is currently at Mile 39 of the Red River, with an estimated completion date of 3 September. The Dredge Iowa, Operated by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company is now under contract with the Vicksburg District and is enroute to the Greenville Harbor.
The District continues to respond to adverse low water conditions on the Mississippi River and ports by utilizing additional federal funding and adjusting the dredging schedule. If river levels continue to fall, the District may be forced to focus on maintaining access to the larger ports in the area. The maintenance of these ports is vital to ensure the transportation and delivery of commodities throughout America and abroad.
[mappress]
Press Release, August 30, 2012