ITCS Memo# 1749 - Update on Upper Mississippi River Closures

To: RIAC
From: Tim Robinson
Date: 5/16/01
Subject: Update on Upper Mississippi River Closures
ITCS Memo # 1749

To: ALL MARINERS
From: MSO St. Louis
Date: 5/16/01
Subject: RIVER CLOSURE DUE TO HIGH WATER, MILE 241 TO MILE 457.2 ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
NAVNOTICE # 295

CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ST LOUIS, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY ACT, HAS ESTABLISHED A SAFETY ZONE CLOSING THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM MM 241, (L/D 25) TO MM 457.2 (L/D 16), DUE TO EXTENSIVE FLOODING AND FAST MOVING CURRENTS ALL RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC ARE RESTRICTED FROM ENTERING THESE AREAS. ALL VESSELS ARE ADVISED TO EXIT THESE AREAS OR TO SEEK SAFE HARBOR IF CURRENTLY IN THE SAFETY ZONE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. VESSEL WAKES CAN SEVERELY ERODE RAILROAD TRACK BEDS AND DAMAGE SUBMERGED HOMES AND
PROPERTY ALONG THE RIVER.

THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAS RE-OPENED FROM MM 860 (MINNEAPOLIS, MN) TO MM 457.2 (L/D 16). DUE TO FLOATING AND SUBMERGED DEBRIS FROM FLOOD WATERS THE COTP ST LOUIS HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVISORY. ALL VSLS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA AT A MINIMUM SAFE SPEED. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTION WHEN TRANSITING DANGER AREAS MM 489 TO MM 493 (CAMPBELL'S ISLAND) AND MM 512.8 TO MM 514.8 (ALBANY
ISLAND). THE LEFT DESCENDING PASSAGE OF THE PIGS EYE R/R BRIDGE (MM 835.7) HAS BEEN DAMAGED AND PARTIALLY BLOCKED DUE TO THE FLOODS, ALL BOATERS SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN TRANSITING IN THE VICINITY OF THE BRIDGE. THIS SAFETY ADVISORY WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THE ST CROIX RIVER HAS BEEN RE-OPENED TO COMMERCIAL AND
RECREATIONAL TRAFFIC. MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO TRANSIT THE AREA AT A MINIMUM SAFE SPEED. THE FOLLOWING BRIDGES WILL REMAIN CLOSED, HUDSON (MM 17.3), AND STILLWATER LIFT BRIDGE (MM 23.4). IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU MAY CONTACT MSO ST LOUIS AT 314
539-3091, EXT 1, OR GROUP UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT 319-524-7511

Note: The Clinton RR Bridge (UM mile 518.0) and Cresent RR Bridge (UM mile 481.4) are closed at this time. Estimated re-opening date is Saturday 5-19-01 for both bridges.