MS River to Remain Open to Barge Traffic
By: NBC News
Updated: January 6, 2013
NBC NEWS -- Federal officials say they're confident they'll be able to keep the drought-starved Mississippi river open to barge traffic.
The shipping industry has feared the ongoing drought would close a crucial stretch of the river.
But the army corps of engineers says crews are making "fantastic" progress clearing bedrock from a channel south of St. Louis near Thebes, Illinois.
The coast guard says an eventual shutdown is possible, but unlikely, given the corps' dredging progress and the release of water from two Midwest lakes.
The shipping industry has feared the ongoing drought would close a crucial stretch of the river.
But the army corps of engineers says crews are making "fantastic" progress clearing bedrock from a channel south of St. Louis near Thebes, Illinois.
The coast guard says an eventual shutdown is possible, but unlikely, given the corps' dredging progress and the release of water from two Midwest lakes.
