RISING OHIO RIVER AFFECTING TOW TRAFFIC

OLMSTED, Ill. -- Downbound barge traffic on the Ohio River is moving at a swift pace these days.

The river is high enough that barges don't have to "lock through" the dams, and the strong currents associated with the rising river help propel the tows downstream.

"It's a wide-open river," said Gerald McGill, assistant resident engineer at the Olmsted Lock and Dam. "Locks and Dams 52 and 53 are both down, making it easier for barge traffic."

Going upstream is harder, said McGill. The tows are fighting the downstream currents.

The Ohio and its upper tributaries started filling more than a week ago, following winter storms that dumped rain, sleet and snow. A brief warming trend contributed to a rapid northern snow melt, which is sending waters down the Ohio River to the lower Mississippi River.

The Ohio, which is above flood stage, is expected to start a slow decline this week.

"A three-day forecast calls for a crest Friday," said Rhonda Jennings, from lock and dams 52 on the Ohio River. The Ohio river stage at Cairo was 42.9 Tuesday, a rise of a foot over Monday.

"We'll probably see the stage at 43.3 feet today, 43.4 Thursday, with a crest and fall to 43.3 feet Friday," said Jennings.

The high waters of the Ohio aren't unusual, Jennings said. "But, it's usually spring before it starts."

"We're not expecting any major problems with the rise on the Ohio River at this time," said Art Houseman, district conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service at Tamms. "As long as the water gets past Cairo, we're OK."

Houseman said that as long as the Mississippi River remains law, there is little farm land that will be flooded.

The Mississippi at Cape Girardeau Tuesday was at 16.3 feet and falling. The flood stage at Cape Girardeau is almost twice that.

Winter wheat planted in some lowlands in Johnson and Massac counties in Southern Illinois could suffer, said Keith Livesay, conservationist in Johnson County. And a few low areas in Fort Massac State park at Metropolis are under water.

Alexander County and Horseshoe Lake/Miller City area residents are keeping watch on the waters.

"A few ditches have filled up, but there's no immediate concern," said James Taflinger, of the Len Small Levee District.

Cairo officials said Tuesday that Ohio River gates aren't closed until the river stage hits about 48 feet. The flood stage at Cairo is 40 feet, but has reached stages of 60 feet without slopping over the giant levee system there.

"The current is swift and hampers some of our repair services here," said Charles Ragan, supervisor of harbor operations at Louisiana Dock Co. Inc. on the Ohio River.