Mississippi River floods could have a major impact on shipping

Dec 31, 2015
Record rainfall and floods have already taken lives and damaged communities.

Mississippi River basin gets D+ grade

Nov 2, 2015
The report cited failing infrastructure and concerns about water security.

Barge owner talks oil and taxes

Dec 11, 2014
Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal checks in with barge owner Austin Golding.

Barge lines not fazed by high waters on the Mississippi River

Apr 26, 2013
For one barge line operator, the high waters of the Mississippi mean business as usual (though with a more watchful eye).

Mississippi River mayors call for more dam, lock funding

Mar 22, 2013
Mayors along the Mississippi River say more funding is needed to shore up aging infrastructure.
The confluence of the St. Croix (TOP) and Mississippi Rivers (BOTTOM) is seen from the air on May 31, 2012.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP/GettyImages

Drought lowers Mississippi, holding up barge traffic

Dec 28, 2012
One stretch of the river is closed during the day so Army Corps of Engineers can blast away rock just below the low water.

Barge lines on the Mississippi expect a waiting game

Dec 19, 2012
Continued drought along the Mississippi River is creating problems for barge lines and the goods they ship.

For public good, not for profit.

Efforts to keep barge traffic flowing on drought-affected Mississippi River

Dec 4, 2012
Every year roughly $180 billion worth of freight makes its way up and down the Mississippi River. An epic shortage of water on the nation's major inland waterways is expected to put upward pressure on everything from food items, to electricity.
A buoy used to help guide barges rests on the bank after the water level dropped on the Mississippi River July 18, 2012 near Wyatt, Missouri.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Drought not over for those on the Mississippi River

Nov 30, 2012
The Mississippi River hovers at record lows as a result of the drought in the Midwest. It could soon mean big problems for the shipping industry on the river.

Drought takes toll on river transport cities

Aug 1, 2012
Because of the drought, there is only one shipping lane on the Mississippi. So the barges on the river have to coordinate in a way they’ve never had to.
The Mississippi River is seen flooding here on June 25, 2008 in St. Louis, Mo. Now, because of the drought, the river is 13 feet below normal, and the barges on the river have to coordinate in a way they’ve never had to.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images