The Mississippi River has returned to low-water levels brought on by the prolonged stretch of dry weather across the Midwest this summer.
The Mississippi River saw historically low water conditions in the fall of 2022, followed by high water conditions due to significant snowfall in the upper Midwest in late winter and spring.
“Even in the midst of the high water conditions a couple months ago, my concern was that we could quickly return to low water levels on the Mississippi River given how much of the region’s ground was dry and most reservoirs were still low. The worry was that any prolonged period of dry weather could result in the pendulum swinging back to low water conditions. This unfortunately has occurred,” according to Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.
“It serves as a reminder that drought not only inhibits the ability to grow a crop, but it also inhibits the ability to transport that crop,” says Steenhoek.
Recent low river gauge readings in St. Louis and Memphis show how barge transportation could be challenging when the export season picks up in late summer and early fall. Low levels may again force companies to reduce tow sizes and freight amounts.
Sources: Soy Transportation Coalition, NAFB News Service.
