In 2022, about 480 million tons of waterborne cargo transited America's inland waterways, a volume equal to roughly 14% of all intercity freight. These products, valued at over $186 billion, were shipped on the portions of our inland waterways system that generate revenue for capital improvements by a fuel user fee on commercial vessels.
Much of that tonnage travels through some of the 219 locks at 176 sites on the inland waterways system.
But the lock and dam infrastructure keeping the system moving is aging - 80% of America's locks have exceeded their engineered design life.
$16 in annual net economic benefits to the nation are generated by the Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Mission for every $1 expended.
(Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Farmers in the Midwest and Great Plains will see decreased incomes this year, as the U.S. agriculture industry will likely have a down year compared to the last two. Net farm income will fall 4.4% in 2024 — or $6.5 billion less than in 2023 — which is a much rosier projection…
Read More View SourceCoalition Sends Letter Opposing Funding for Out of Basin Water Transfer The Coalition to Protect the Missouri River (CPMR), of which MOFB is a member, sent a letter last week to Chairman Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,…
Read MoreLocks and Dams Chickamauga, Kentucky, Wilson Projects Detailed At Conference October 4, 2024 By Shelley Byrne Updates on infrastructure projects, industry priorities and proposed legislation were part of the Tennessee River Valley Association and Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council’s…
Read More View SourceIn the best-case scenario, the main chamber at Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River could be open in early to mid-December. In the worst, it could take months longer. That was the update from the Nashville Engineer District at the Tennessee River Valley Association and Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council…
Read More View SourceThe International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMS) yesterday reached a tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the master contract until Jan. 15, 2025, to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding…
Read More View SourceHolt Lock on the Black Warrior River reopened at 7 a.m. October 2, 102 days after cracks in a monolith caused an unscheduled shutdown. The Mobile Engineer District is planning to operate the repaired lock from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for two weeks and then assess whether to run it around the clock. Tows three…
Read More View SourceWhether St. Paul’s Lock and Dam No. 1 will be removed is still uncertain as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues its research into the lock and dam near the old Ford factory. Locks and dams hold back water in the river to make pools of water for easier boat navigation along the river.…
Read More View SourceAgainst the backdrop of the Ohio River’s steady flow and the hum of heavy machinery, the Pittsburgh Engineer District continues extensive work rehabilitating the primary lock chamber at Hannibal Locks and Dam in Hannibal, Ohio. The facility has played a crucial role in riverway commerce and transportation…
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