Latest water level readings on the Mississippi on Memphis, TN suggest that we are revisiting the crisis that occurred in October 2022.  The level at this point on the river is now 8.5 feet below base, corresponding to the situation last year. 

Barge rates for grain have doubled in a month as freight volume declines. There was a 25 percent reduction in the number of barges moving downstream during the last week in September. Barge capacity is now being reduced by at least a quarter for southbound movement and almost one-third northbound from Gulf export terminals to Cairo, IL.

According to American Barge a major Mississippi operator, there has been a 17 to 38 percent reduction in tow size with widths reduced to five wide from the normal seven.  Delays in transit through locks, more frequent groundings and other logistic restraints have imposed transit delays of up to 72 hours over normal passage on the lower reaches of the river.