The Mississippi River will remain open for now, despite low water levels. Senator Dick Durbin took a tour of the river, getting a firsthand look at just how bad the situation is.
The Army Corp of Engineers has spent millions of dollars in clearing the river bed to make sure navigation continues. Clearing the rock formations could add an additional two feet of water in the river, near Thebes, which will make barge movement safe for at least two more weeks. The forecast is a bit more grim closer to St. Louis, though, where water levels could drop to nine feet by the end of the week. Keeping the waterways open is a major priority for state officials because it's a hub for Illinois' ag and export industries.
The Army Corp of Engineers is working diligently to remove rock buildup from the Mississippi River, with the hopes of keeping barge traffic moving. Senator Dick Durbin says they shut the river down for about 16 hours a day near Thebes, Illinois.
(Posted 1-7-2013 at 5:04pm, Metro News)