REPORTED SUNKEN BARGES AT NM 73.2 AND NM 118.2
Mariners are advised that the Little Rock District and the U.S. Coast Guard have been notified of a sunken spud barge at approximately NM 73.2. The owner reports the barge is located on the edge of the navigation channel, and is marked with a lit flashing buoy. The owner is making arrangements to salvage the barge, but a time estimate has not yet been determined.
Flows in the Pine Bluff area are expected to be in excess of 150,000 cubic feet per second into early July 2019. Current flow rates at the Locks & Dams can be found at https://www.swl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Water-Levels/Real-Time-Data-Arkansas-River-Nav-Channel/.
A second sunken barge, reported at NM 118.2 in Little Rock, was located on June 17, 2019. It is not in the navigation channel, and it is located along the right descending bank, between the shoreline and the rock training structures.
Mariners are reminded that the U.S. Coast Guard has stated the Arkansas River is currently unsafe for navigation, per Local Notice to Mariners LNM 24-19. Vessels may contact the Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River on VHF-FM Channel 16 for further information.
Questions or requests for additional information concerning this notice should be directed to the Little Rock District Office, at (501) 324-5739 or you may email CESWL-OP-OM@usace.army.mil.
//signed//
Kevin J. McDaniels
Chief, Operations Division
Release no. 19-078