ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is closing three locks on the Mississippi River due to high river levels. The closures are necessary as the Mississippi River overtops lock gates making the locks inoperable.
On Friday, April 15, three locks will close due to high water:
- Lock 12 (Bellevue, Iowa)
- Lock 13 (Fulton, Ill.)
- Lock 16 (Illinois City, Ill.)
Rising Mississippi River levels may result in the closure of additional locks over the next several weeks. Since the Mississippi River levels will fluctuate due to spring rains, it is too soon to forecast remaining lock closings or the duration of closures for this flood event. All Illinois River locks are expected to remain open during this year’s spring flooding.
The Mississippi River is moving swiftly and all recreational boaters are advised to use extreme caution. Swimming, wading or entering the Mississippi River during these high river stages is not recommended. There are no short cuts to safety. The Corps also urges people who live or travel near rivers to continue to monitor water levels and in particular, not to drive into water-covered roads. Alternate routes should be used.
Updated information about the Mississippi River is available on the web by visiting the Corps’ website at www.rivergages.com. This web site includes links to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Weather Service websites that track Mississippi River flow and projected rainfall amounts.
Web Links:
Lock Conditions: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/omni/webrpts/omni_lc/ice_reportm.cfm?seq1=-12
Lock Locations: www.mvr.usace.army.mil/PublicAffairsOffice/LockLocationMap.pdf
Mississippi River 9-foot Staircase: www.mvr.usace.army.mil/PublicAffairsOffice/9FootStaircase.gif
Locks and Dams: http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/brochures/documents/UMRSLocksandDams.pdf
Release no. 12-007