Port of New Orleans not disrupted by low river

   Low Mississippi River levels have not affected operations within the Port of New Orleans, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has maintained the congressionally authorized 45-foot-deep channel from Baton Rouge, La., to the mouth of the river, the port authority said Wednesday.
   “Deep-draft shipping and cruise operations within the Port of New Orleans have not experienced any interruptions as a result of the low river stage,” Port President Gary LaGrange said.
   “All of the port’s berths are at 100 percent of their authorized depths and no restrictions on the Lower Mississippi River are anticipated.”
   LaGrange met this week with Corps officials in Washington and was assured lock and dam management in the upper reaches of the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers were being closely managed to assure adequate water draft for the Lower Mississippi River.
  “We are working closely with the Corps of Engineers and all of our stakeholders to assure customers and shipping lines that the Port of New Orleans and all deep-draft facilities along the Lower Mississippi River remain at authorized depths and remain open for business,” LaGrange said. “Of course, a little help from Mother Nature wouldn’t hurt.”