January 29, 2021 By Shelley Byrne
At least seven vessels have grounded in the Mississippi River between Memphis, Tenn., and Cape Girardeau, Mo., since January 22 after a period of extreme low water.
“I think it was a little bit of a perfect storm,” said Randall Chamness, chairman of the Lower Mississippi River Committee.
Chamness reported five groundings initially from January 22-24. Of those, three were on the Lower Mississippi at miles 813, 816 and 926, and the other two were on the Upper Mississippi at the 23 and 46 mile points. No one was hurt, and no sinkings or major damage took place, but three of the five resulted in barges going adrift, Chamness said.