ST. LOUIS — The U.S. Coast Guard has extended the closure on the Missouri River an additional 53 miles, Friday.
The Missouri River closure is closed to all vessel traffic from mile marker 397, near Leavenworth, Kan., to mile marker 811, near Gavin’s Point Dam in Yankton, S.D. The closure is a result of consultations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the governors of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri.
The Big Sioux River closure is still in effect for all vessel traffic and is between the Missouri River confluence and the Military Road Bridge in north Sioux City, S.D., due to high water.
“The Coast Guard is providing support via Captain of the Port river closures to support U.S Army Corps of Engineers flood fighting efforts at a state and local level,” said Chief Warrant Officer Scott Coder, chief of waterways Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River. “These closures are essential to ensure levee integrity and public safety in areas identified to be at risk by flood waters.”
The Coast Guard urges mariners to monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 22 for any changes to the closure.
