Weather & Science
Mississippi River Drought Imperils Trade on Key US Waterway
- Barges are getting backed due to two closures on the river
- Shippers are turning away spot business; freight costs soar
A barge travels along the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2021.
Photographer: Houston Cofield/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The Mississippi River is a vital US waterway that ferries key commodities between the heart of America and the Gulf Coast -- and drought is putting waterborne trade in jeopardy.
Drought depleted river levels so much that in some spots vessels are getting stuck. One shipping company said low water levels are causing severe impacts to navigation not seen since 1988. It’s a key concern for transporting goods from a river basin that produces 92% of the nation’s agricultural exports, especially during harvest season.