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Mississippi River levels better, but still low

Low levels on the Mississippi River continue to create challenges for grain shippers. CGB Enterprises Senior Vice President of Grain Greg Beck says barge movement south of St. Louis has improved since the extreme river lows in September and October.

“We’re not out of the woods yet though. The bootheel of Missouri and south looks good with tote restrictions on sizes, but St. Louis and north, not so good. It’s tenuous and may be good for another 10 to 14 days, but we need rain.”

Peak shipping season continues through February. Beck will continue to watch the weather radar.

“Where is it raining and where is it not raining? Those are the things that are the most important, because if the rainfall dries up again and you take the Memphis gauge down to -10 feet, which means we go back to 9 feet barge drafts, that’s going to be a challenge for the industry.”

Beck says whatever happens in 2023, the grain industry will still find a way to move product to its final destination.