By AP
Paducah, KY – The dry conditions in the Ohio valley are being felt, and heard, on the lower Ohio River. Some of the heavier laden barges are actually scraping bottom.
The Coast Guard halted all commercial traffic from Cairo, Illinois to Mound City after at least three barges began grounding Sunday.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Anthony Baird says by Tuesday, vessels were being allowed through on a case by case basis, depending on how deep they sit in the water.
President David Dewey of Western Kentucky Navigation says that despite the lack of recent rainfall, the towing industry is surprised by the number of boats running aground.