U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases 2023 Lock and Dam navigation statistics

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District has released its 2023 navigation season statistics regarding the Upper Mississippi River.

The 2023 navigation season unofficially ended November 23, after the Motor Vessel W. Red Harris departed St. Paul, MN. The 2023 navigation season started March 12 when the Motor Vessel Philip M. Pfeffer broke its way through the ice of Lake Pepin to travel to St. Paul, MN.

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 nine-foot navigation channel from Minneapolis, MN to Guttenberg. Keeping this system open is vital to the nation’s economy.

Statistics for the 2023 for the most local lock and dam facilities include the following:

• Lock and Dam 7, LaCrescent, MN: During the 2023 season, Corps staff supported 1,727 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 7, near La Crescent, MN, which is below the 10-year average of 2,262 lockages. The 2023 lockages supported 8 million tons, or approximately 4,991 barges, of commodities shipped by the navigation industry. During the 2022 season, Corps staff supported 2,093 commercial lockages and the movement of 10 million tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 4,750 recreation vessels during 1,298 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 8, Genoa, WI: During the 2023 season, Corps staff supported 1,523 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 8, near Genoa, WI, which is below the 10-year average of 1,810 lockages. The 2023 lockages supported 8.6 million tons, or approximately 5,404 barges, of commodities shipped by the navigation industry. During the 2022 season, Corps staff supported 1,591 commercial lockages and the movement of 9.5 million tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 3,939 recreation vessels during 1,227 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 27 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.

• Lock and Dam 9, Lynxville, WI: During the 2023 season, Corps staff supported 1,489 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 9, near Lynxville, WI, which is below the 10-year average of 1,888 lockages. The 2023 lockages supported 8.7 million tons, or approximately 5,404 barges, of commodities shipped by the navigation industry. During the 2022 season, Corps staff supported 1,631 commercial lockages and the movement of 10 million tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 4,117 recreation vessels during 1,258 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 20 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.

• Lock and Dam 10, Guttenberg: During the 2023 season, Corps staff supported 1,748 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 10, near Guttenberg, which is below the 10-year average of 2,242 lockages. The 2023 lockages supported 10 million tons, or approximately 6,691 barges, of commodities shipped by the navigation industry. During the 2022 season, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff supported 1,969 commercial lockages and the movement of 11.5 million tons of commodities.
In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 2,316 recreation vessels during 904 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 24 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.