There’s no better way to get a first-hand look at the low water levels of the Mississippi River and the impacts than the pilot house of a river tow boat. Jimmy Cheatham, barge captain on the Western Rivers, otherwise known as Capt-J-Rock on Tik Tok, provides some insight into what he’s facing.
Cheatham has been a boat captain for 28 years collectively, working on the river for about 35 years. He says water levels right now are not looking good and he expects a repeat of last year.
“With low water levels in the Mississippi River, barges can’t be filled as full — sometimes even half of the normal loads,” says Cheatham. “As a result, the cost of barge freight rises, slimming margins for terminals. This in turn hurts Wisconsin producers’ base price and creates a trickle-down effect of backlog in the river.”
Cheatham says they are still trying to get a lot of agricultural products to move north that should have already been in place. They have been hauling a lot of fertilizer, salt, and steel most recently.
Part of the concern for this backlog is labor. Cheatham adds that the maritime industry is 180,000 men and women short. While the job has potential for growth and good pay, many are choosing trade skills closer to home.
“We’re keeping things moving right now, but in the future, I see a potential issue coming in the movement of commodities due to a lack of workforce,” he adds.
Right now in the lower Mississippi river areas are so low that it’s hard to load barges. Ports, granaries, and docks are already loading at a lighter draft. If the river continues to fall like it did last year, these facilities won’t be able to haul at all.
Cheatham says, “I’m worried about the farmers and what these low river levels may mean for them in the future. They should be looking into building a grain storage facility on their farm now to be ready to store their product until later into the fall. This goes for everyone but especially those in the Midwest.”
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