In 2021, about 500 million tons of waterborne cargo transited America's inland waterways, a volume equal to roughly 14% of all intercity freight. These products, valued at over $158 billion, were shipped on the portions of our inland waterways system that generate revenue for capital improvements by a fuel user fee on commercial vessels.
Much of that tonnage travels through some of the 219 locks at 176 sites on the inland waterways system.
But the lock and dam infrastructure keeping the system moving is aging - 80% of America's locks have exceeded their engineered design life.
$16 in annual net economic benefits to the nation are generated by the Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Mission for every $1 expended.
(Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
The shipping season on the uppermost stretch of the Mississippi River has officially come to a close. The last tow of the season, the Motor Vessel Thomas Erickson, departed Lock and Dam 10 near Guttenberg, Iowa on Sunday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District announced Tuesday. It…
Read More View SourcePHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 29 Jesse Krsul, a lock operator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, helps a towboat crew lock through the Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, Nov. 29, 2023. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh…
Read More View SourceA House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee this week will hold its first hearing to craft the 2024 Water Resources Development Act package. The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee — led by Chair David Rouzer (R-N.C.) and ranking member Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) —…
Read More View SourceIowans who like watching the barges and tugs make their way on the Mississippi River will soon start seeing less of it. The shipping season officially ends today on the Upper Mississippi, and winter maintenance begins on four locks and dams between Hastings, Minnesota, and Guttenberg, Iowa. …
Read More View SourceFor the second year in a row, drought conditions are impacting transportation on the Mississippi River at the peak shipment point of the year. Shallower river levels mean barge weight restrictions, slower barge traffic, and higher costs to ship commodities on the river. Ultimately, this translates to…
Read More View SourceTwo years of drought in the Midwest have caused the Mississippi River to drop to abnormally low levels. The low river threatens cargo ships that carry 60 percent of all grains produced in the United States. To help solve the issue, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been working to create safe…
Read More View SourceCourtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District A public information session is scheduled Dec. 12 to update the Lower Monongahela River Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is hosting a public information session from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Elizabeth…
Read More View SourceU.S. Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) joined U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and other members of the Pennsylvania delegation to outline their concerns regarding the lock and dam system on the Allegheny River. In a letter…
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