ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – (May 31) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will be closing four additional 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.
Expected Lock Closures include:
• Lock 16 at Muscatine, Iowa, is expected to close Tuesday, June 4
• Lock 17 at New Boston, Ill., is expected to close Saturday, June 1
• Lock 18 at Gladstone, Ill., is expected to close Sunday, June 2
• Lock 19 at Keokuk, Iowa, is expected to close Wednesday, June 5
Lock 20 at Canton, Mo., Lock 21 in Quincy, Ill., and Lock 22 in Saverton, Mo., all closed on Wednesday, May 29.
Additional lock closures are not expected at this time. 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.
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 http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/About/Offices/EmergencyManagement/2013Flood.aspx.