Barge Traffic On Mississippi River Picks Back Up As Drought Ebbs
March 31, 2024 6:16AM CDT
Ample precipitation and snowmelt the past two months across the Mississippi River basin has brought the major shipping route back to normal capacity after hitting historically low levels the past two years. However, Soy Transportation Coalition executive director Mike Steenhoek cautions that levels are still lower than normal and could fall below acceptable low water levels if we have a dry spring.
Steenhoek says the basin will need even more moisture, as fields throughout the Central U.S. remain parched.
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition adds that eyes also remain on the Panama Canal, which is running 25 percent below capacity because of their drought situation.