The last Mississippi River barge of the year departed St. Paul on Tuesday, ending the 2025 Upper Mississippi shipping season.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ St. Paul district, the M.V. Sierra Dawn and its 12 barges departed Tuesday afternoon toward Lock and Dam 2 near Hastings.
The 2025 navigation season started on March 19 when the M.V. Neil N. Diehl arrived in St. Paul with nine barges.
“It’s a bittersweet milestone when the last tow departs,” said Mitch Serjogins, St. Paul District acting locks and dams chief, in a statement. “It’s the end of the season, but the work is not done. Maintenance becomes our priority over the winter to ensure we continue providing a reliable navigation channel for the movement of commodities up and down the Mississippi River.”
Related Articles
St. Paul Parks Conservancy to absorb Great River Passage Conservancy
Cottage Grove City Council OKs environmental statement for proposed mine in Mississippi River bed
Inside Highland Bridge’s unique stormwater system
Manmade island rising in Mississippi River near Hastings
Authorities work with boat owner to get beached craft off Harriet Island
St. Paul District staff are working on maintenance projects at Lock and Dam 7 near La Crescent, Minn. and Lock and Dam 9 near Lynxville, Wis. The St. Paul District locks and dams from St. Paul to Lynxville will be closed from Dec. 8 to March 15, 2026 due to the scheduled maintenance.
The St. Paul District maintains a 9-foot navigation channel and 13 locks and dams from Minneapolis to Guttenberg, Iowa.
Leave a Reply