Torrential rains and violent storms have caused extensive flooding in parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakotas. The near record rainfall has forced the closure of 11 locks on the Mississippi River, halting barge traffic on the main shipping route to the U.S. Golf Coast, according to a Reuters report.
The 11 locks and dams are in the Rock Island Army Corp district, from Bellevue, Iowa to Saverton, Missouri. At least 80 barge tows are expected to be affected. River waters are currently at the moderate flood stage in Rock Island, Illinois, and are expected to hit the major flood stage of 21.8 ft by Saturday. It is the fast moving waters coming from further upstream causing problems now. After a major storm system rolled through Iowa and southern Minnesota on Monday, dry weather is expected for several days before thunderstorms resuming late next week. It was the wettest June in the Twin Cities since 1874, according to the National Weather Service.
There are no estimates on when the locks will be reopened, but one shipping source is estimating barge loadings could be delayed for at least seven to 10 days.
