ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, released its 2019 navigation statistics for the Upper Mississippi River today, Feb. 5.
The 2019 navigation season unofficially came to a close on Nov. 28, after the Motor Vessel Kelly Rae Erickson departed St. Paul, Minnesota. The 2019 navigation season started April 24, when the Motor Vessel Aaron F. Barrett locked through Lock and Dam 2, near Hastings, Minnesota, en route to St. Paul, Minnesota.
Navigation statistics fluctuate from year to year, depending on the weather, river flows and the length of the navigation season. The St. Paul District maintains a 9-foot navigation channel from Minneapolis to Guttenberg, Iowa. Keeping this system open is vital to the nation’s economy.
Minneapolis locks and dams
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 471 commercial lockages at the Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and 104 commercial lockages at Lock and Dam 1. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 721 commercial lockages at Lower St. Anthony Falls and 122 commercial lockages at Lock and Dam 1.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 79 recreational vessels during 57 lockages at Lower St. Anthony Falls and 629 recreational vessels during 414 lockages at Lock and Dam 1. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage.
Lower St. Anthony Falls and Lock and Dam 1 were closed from May 24 to June 5 due to high water and the Corps locked the first recreational vessel through the Minneapolis locks and dams on June 5. The Corps closed the Minneapolis locks and dams to navigation Nov. 9, due to high flows. There was no navigation at Upper St. Anthony Falls.
Lock and Dam 2
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,140 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 2, near Hastings, Minnesota, which was below the 10-year average of 1,360. This was the lowest number since 2008 and was a direct result of high flows. The 2019 lockages supported 6,245,415 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 1,437 commercial lockages and the movement of 8,076,243 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 2,213 recreation vessels during 1,064 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 12 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 3
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,320 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 3, near Welch, Minnesota, which was below the 10-year average of 1,546. This was the lowest number since 2010 and was a direct result of high flows. The 2019 lockages supported 6,238,852 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 1,669 commercial lockages and the movement of 8,078,798 tons of commodities
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 6,158 recreation vessels during 2,337 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 8 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 4
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,371 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 4, near Alma, Wisconsin, which was below the 10-year average of 1,442. The 2019 lockages supported 6,847,616 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 1,646 commercial lockages and the movement of 9,050,677 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 3,038 recreation vessels during 1,505 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 42 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 5
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,460 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 5, near Minnesota City, Minnesota, which was above the 10-year average of 1,450. The 2019 lockages supported 6,879,560 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 1,672 commercial lockages and the movement of 9,023,138 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 1,882 recreation vessels during 1,011 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 31 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 5A
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,376 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 5A, near Fountain City, Wisconsin, which was below the 10-year average of 1,502. The 2019 lockages supported 6,930,142 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 1,806 commercial lockages and the movement of 9,055,052 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 2,347 recreation vessels during 1,066 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 38 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 6
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,684 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 6, near Trempealeau, Wisconsin, which was below the 10-year average of 1,691.The 2019 lockages supported 8,500,062 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 2,191 commercial lockages and the movement of 11,296,784 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 1,899 recreation vessels during 918 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 32 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 7
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,903 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 7, near La Crescent, Minnesota, which was below the 10-year average of 2,040. The 2019 lockages supported 8,510,107 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 2,434 commercial lockages and the movement of 11,317,972 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 2,457 recreation vessels during 1,035 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 51 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 8
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,449 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 8, near Genoa, Wisconsin, which was below the 10-year average of 1,690. The 2019 lockages supported 9,236,685 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 1,954 commercial lockages and the movement of 12,325,870 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 2,210 recreation vessels during 925 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 26 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 9
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,565 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 9, near Lynxville, Minnesota, which was below the 10-year average of 1,846. The 2019 lockages supported 10,194,156 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 2,011 commercial lockages and the movement of 13,784,751 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 2,264 recreation vessels during 976 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 26 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
Lock and Dam 10
During the 2019 season, Corps staff supported 1,750 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 10, near Guttenberg, Iowa, which was below the 10-year average of 2,164. The 2019 lockages supported 11,575,625 tons of commodities by the navigation industry. During the 2018 season, Corps staff supported 2,369 commercial lockages and the movement of 15,789,297 tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 1,160 recreation vessels during 742 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 25 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.
