Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: June 15, 2008

Contact:  PA3 Tom Atkeson
(314) 269-2623 or
(618) 219-6774 

COAST GUARD CLOSES PORTION OF UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

ST. LOUIS - The Coast Guard closed the Upper Mississippi River today from Lock and Dam number 15 through the St. Louis harbor at mile marker 168.6.

The closure was implemented to ensure safety of small craft on the flooding Mississippi River.  Strong currents and heavy debris present a great safety hazard to vessels.

River closures due to high water are determined by thresholds contained in the Waterways Action Plan. This plan was developed as a joint effort between the Coast Guard, it's industry partners, and the Army Corp of Engineers.

The Mississippi river currently remains open to commercial traffic. Commercial vessels are advised to minimize wakes to avoid damage to levees. 

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790