Due to shoaling at Mile 300.8 - 300.9 , 419.8 - 420.3, 461.2 - 461.5 and 447.4 - 447.8 on the Upper Mississippi and looking at the normal end - of - the - low water season, RIAC, the COE and USCG have jointly issued the following Safety Advisory.

All towing companies are advised to begin reducing loadings to a maximum 9 foot draft on barges being transported between St. Paul, Minnesota (mile 835.0) and Lock 22 (mile 300.0) UMR. All barges drafting more than 9 foot should be taken down river and out of the above mentioned areas as soon as possible.

If a vessels finds itself aground, every effor must be made to ensure that the channel stays open for everyone during the remainder of the year. It's the right thing to do for everyone concerned.

It's that time of the year and we have to begin taking steps to ensure that the channel stays open for everyone during the remainder of the year. It's the right thing to do for everyone concerned.

RIAC will stay in touch with the Corps of Engineers and US Coast Guard on a regular basis and when and if the situations improve, the Industry will be advised. You may want to fax a copy of this memo out to all your vessels so that everyone hears the same message.