Barges struggle on shallow Mississippi

A long drought throughout the Mississippi River Basin has caused a crisis on the Mississippi River, which carries 60% of America’s corn and soybean exports. Low water levels mean cargo is being shipped much more slowly, straining crews and costs. Barges, which can carry as much cargo as 70 semitrucks, must carry smaller loads to navigate the shallow river and often are forced to wait for emergency dredging. The estimate 10 years ago was that closing the river for a day cost $300 million, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report said. There have been 25 closures at 12 locations since Oct. 11.