Mississippi River reopens near Natches

Mississippi River reopens near Natches    U.S. The Coast Guard reopened a section of the Mississippi River near Natches, Miss., on Tuesday, but cautioned the river was likely to close again if the Natchez gauge reaches 62.5 feet, due to concerns related to the water height on the levees immediately south of Natchez, and the city across the river, Vidalia, La.
   River traffic was closed between mile markers 350 and 365 as a measure to prevent damage to flood protection structures.
   Captain of the Port for Sector Lower Mississippi River, Capt. Michael Gardiner, reopened the river Tuesday, allowing only one tow vessel at a time to transit the area to ensure the integrity of the flood protection structures in place. Tuesday night, seven northbound tows and eight southbound were waiting to pass the area. Updated figures were not immediately available.
   Gardiner said he made the decision after consulting with stakeholders, including the mayor and local officials of Vidalia, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and towing industry representatives.
   He explained that section of the river was closed to river traffic Sunday night after reports of sand erosion near flood protection structures were originally thought to have been caused by vessel wakes. They are now believed to have been caused by an underground pipe beneath the structures.
   “We have been able to allow to safely pass several test tows through the safety zone we have established in the Vidalia-Natchez area. We will continue to closely monitor transits through the area to ensure the safety of the communities, as well as the towing vessels and their crews,” Gardiner said.
   Up-to-date information on river restrictions and closures are available here, here and here.