Low water levels cost farmers money

Low water levels cost farmers money

Barge traffic on the lower Mississippi River is backing up as the lack of water has river levels at a record low.

The Army Corps of Engineers says the river stage at Memphis, Tennessee was negative 10.79 Monday, or almost eleven feet below normal, passing a record set in 1988.

Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition tells Brownfield the narrower and shallower river channel means less cargo per barge and fewer barges to a tow, increasing shipping costs.

.