The U.S. Coast Guard continues to maintain safety advisories for most of the rain-swollen Ohio River, even though water levels have finally begun to crest as far downstream as Cincinnati. The USCG is urging mariners to be particularly aware of “high water and associated strong currents,“ between the Smithland lock and dam at mile marker 918 and the mouth of the river at Cairo, Ill., situated some 65 river miles downstream. “All mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while navigating thorough Smithland Lock and bridges of the lower Ohio River,“ said the agency. Water levels downstream of Paducah, Ky., are not expected to crest until early next week. In the meantime, many commercial towboat operators have reduced barge configurations, to better deal with the increasingly difficult navigation conditions. High-water advisories also remain in effect on portions of the Illinois and lower Mississippi rivers.
Source: CattleNetwork.com
