Posted on 11/20/2014 5:38:38 PM PST by Vince Ferrer
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, locked a final tow on the Upper Mississippi River Thursday, shutting the navigation channel down for the season because ice conditions on the river are becoming difficult for vessels to navigate.
Traditionally, the last tow heading south of Lock and Dam 2 has marked the unofficial end of the navigation season for the Twin Cities portion of the St. Paul District, the Corps said.
The navigation season started April 16. The spring start was the second-latest start to navigation in the district's history, the Corps said, as ice thicknesses in Lake Pepin, near Red Wing, Minn., last spring reached 32 inches in some locations.
Farm Futures Senior Editor Bryce Knorr said the early Upper Mississippi River closure may leave some shippers scrambling to fill barges before the shipping window closes.
"The early onset of winter may be a marketing opportunity for growers who scout for basis pushes," Knorr advised Thursday. "Rail terminals may also see a pickup in business if they can find cars."
If shipping opportunities aren't sought before the cold weather fully sets in, growers in the upper Midwest whose markets depend on the river system may be in for a long winter, Knorr said, even as they try to get back into the field to finish harvest.
Related: Trains, Trucks, Barges Moving Big Grain Crops to Market
Despite the late start and a brief closure in June, Bryan Peterson, St. Paul District Mississippi River program manager, suggests the shipping season on the Upper Mississippi was successful.
He estimates industries saved more than $300 million by using the navigation channel instead of overland shipping methods.
But but but this is the hottest Fall ever. How do I know? Some jackwipe at NASA aka Obola’s “muslim outreach program” said so! /puke
Holy Chipotle, BatMan!!
Looks like Global Varming is really kicking in.
Global Warming ice silly.
This is the weather type that sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald back in the 70s.
My apartment looks over the river in St Paul. There are a lot of barges moored along the both banks. Normally they are put up for the winter before the river is closed. Wonder if they will be allowed to move them now.
I put fuel on tow boats nearby your place.
It was at the foot of 778 Otto Avenue, down by the river...
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