Corps of Engineers releases 2022 Lock and Dam 10 navigation stats

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, released its 2022 navigation statistics for the Upper Mississippi River, today, Dec. 9.

During the 2022 season, Corps staff supported 1,969 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 10, near Guttenberg, Iowa, which is below the 10-year average of 2,232 lockages. The 2022 lockages supported more than 11 million tons, or approximately 6,691 barges of commodities shipped by the navigation industry. During the 2021 season, Corps staff supported 2,132 commercial lockages and the movement of more than 13 million tons of commodities.

In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 1,469 recreation vessels during 810 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 16 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.

The 2022 navigation season unofficially ended Nov. 29, after the Motor Vessel Ashley Danielson departed St. Paul, Minnesota. The 2022 navigation season started March 21 when the Motor Vessel Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr., broke its way through the ice of Lake Pepin to travel to St. Paul, Minnesota.

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

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