Market Matters Blog           02/06 09:59

    Deep Freeze Overtakes Illinois River System, Impedes Barge Traffic

   Extreme cold has significantly disrupted operations on the Illinois River.

Mary Kennedy
DTN Basis Analyst

   The Illinois River has been battling serious ice conditions. Reports of 
barges stuck in the ice, stoppage and/or slowdown of movement, and caution 
notices at locks have been going on for weeks.

   In the Feb. 5 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Lock Performance 
Monitoring System and the Feb. 4 Inland Waterway report (IWW), updates were 
provided to tows pushing barges as to what was needed to pass through locks 
still having significant impacts due to ice.

   1. Peoria Lock and Dam: 2/05/2026 at 0600: Ice Conditions: **Ice couplings 
required. Ice is approximately 3" thick, broken, cake ice covering 80% of the 
upper pool, extending about 1 mile upstream. The lower pool is 60% covered with 
broken cake up to 3" thick extending about 2 miles downriver. For Northbound 
DOUBLE lockages: an assist tug IS required to pull your first cut. ARTCO can be 
reached on marine channel 8 to arrange this. For Southbound DOUBLE lockages: 
Lock staff will notify you WHEN/IF NEEDED to have an assist tug pull you first 
cut. For Northbound tows with empty barges on the land wall side, ensure there 
is a ladder placed on the first cut for safe debarkation of your crew. Call us 
on marine band 14 to coordinate lockage, or by telephone for vessels without a 
marine radio.

   2. Starved Rock Lock and Dam: 2/05/2026 at 06:00: Ice couplings required. 
89' wide width restriction. Floaters are tied up. Helper boat required to pull 
cuts NB and case by case for SB. Lower right valve is out of service impacting 
emptying times. Due to extreme cold during night hours, lower bubbler is unable 
to run. An assist boat may be needed for southbound doubles. Call the lock 
ahead of time for any additional information or changes to locking procedures. 
Feb. 4 IWW report noted 100% ice coverage.

   3. Marseilles Lock and Dam 2/05/2026 at 0600: Lower traditional stopping pin 
damaged, new "Red Top" stopping pin identified at lower 825' mark. Expect 
longer lockage times when lower wall is occupied. Ice conditions: Width 
Restriction of 89'; Unable to pull cuts; Ice Couplings Required; Floaters Tied 
Up; Mariners are not to enter Marseilles Canal unless locking through; Mariners 
are requested to not moor on Left Descending Cells in canal above the chamber. 
When locking through, utilize Right Descending Wall when possible. Upper/Canal 
Ice Conditions: Coverage -- 100%. Thickness -- 8-10". Lower Ice Conditions: 
Coverage -- 100%. Thickness -- 8-10".

   American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) noted in their Feb. 5 update, that on 
the Illinois River at Beardstown, Dosh, Havana, Peoria, Pekin, Spring Valley, 
Hennepin, LaSalle, Ottawa, Morris, and Naples, "The following fleet operations 
have resumed; however, there are significant delays with tow work and dock 
spots are limited as of Feb. 5."

   ACBL reported Channahon/Lemont Operations have resumed; however, there are 
significant delays, minimal tow work, and limited dock spots as of Feb. 5. 
Lemont will begin sweeping barges as of Feb. 5; TBD when washing will begin.

   At SAG Canal/Chicago Harbor/Lake Michigan, ACBL said, "All operations have 
been suspended. Reassessing on Feb. 9."

   "Please note that all plans are fluid and subject to change. We will 
continue to monitor conditions closely. If any critical updates arise over the 
weekend, they will be communicated as soon as possible," added ACBL.

   As temperatures warm up, ice will melt and move south, but that can cause 
ice gorges at locks and dams depending on how fast the melt is. Temperatures 
that warm and then freeze at night are also not ideal.

   **Ice couplings on barges, as discussed in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE) Mississippi Valley Division report, are specialized, robust fastening 
systems used to securely attach barges together in winter, allowing them to 
remain connected despite ice accumulation on the outside of the hulls. They 
allow tows to maintain structural integrity in freezing conditions.

   Here is a link to more information on the Illinois River locks status: 
https://ndc.ops.usace.army.mil/ords/f?p=108:1.

   Here is a link to the IWW Lock & Dam Status 04-Feb-2026: 
https://www.irpt.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IWW-Lock-Status-Update-ICE-Condi
tions-4-Feb-2026-.pdf.

   Mary Kennedy can be reached at Mary.Kennedy@dtn.com

   Follow her on social platform X @MaryCKenn




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