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Commerce & Statistics
In 2017 commodity movements on the Ouachita-Black Rivers was
approximately 800,000 tons, down 26 percent from
1,075,000 tons, recorded in 2014, the last year tonnage was
above 1 million tons. The reduction can be attributed to the
general economic recession our country was experiencing.
The Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project tonnage was
consistently above 1 million tons until 2011 when the Corps
of Engineers began communicating the use of the Inland
Marine Transportation Study and potential reduction in
operating hours of the four waterway locks. In 2012
operating hours were reduced on all four waterway locks.
Also, in 2011 a major user on the upper portion of the
waterway stopped shipping on the waterway. Full service was
returned to the lower two locks, Jonesville and Columbia, in
November 2015. Currently the upper two locks, Felsenthal
and H.K. Thatcher, are only operated 5 days per week (10
hours daily) and no weekend service. Exceptionally high
spring river stages the last couple of years and the 3 July
2018 emergency closure of the Columbia Lock has hampered
commercial traffic on the waterway.
Exceptionally
high spring river stages to include 2019 and 2020 has
hampered commercial traffic of the waterway. High water plus
the Emergency Closure of the Columbia Lock on 3 July 2018
have had great impacts on commercial tonnage. After a year’s
closure, the Lock is now open. The below data for 2018 and
2019 reflect this closure.
While it was anticipated that tonnage would increase with
the opening of the lock in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic most
likely had some play in the tonnage numbers. We had hoped
that 2019 would be a recovery year. When we compare the
tonnage data for the first quarter of 2020 (nearly 125,000
tons), we believe we are on a glide path to meet or surpass
2017 tonnage levels, especially considering Downbound
agricultural commodities which will certainly come in the
fall at harvest. With an estimated economic resurgence
following the national economic pandemic crisis, a 2020
supplemental for dredging, and a potential increase in
commercial traffic on the upper waterway, we are very
optimistic for increases in commercial tonnage in 2021 and
beyond.
Crude petroleum, waterway improvement materials, gasoline,
diesel fuel, residual fuel oil, sodium hydroxide, limestone,
and soybeans, wheat, corn and sorghum grains are the main
commodities moved on the waterway. Cities and Economic
Development Organizations are working to assist potential
waterway users in locating and utilizing the waterway. The
Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project has been recognized
as the primary generator of economic and environmental
activity in the Ouachita River Basin. Commercial use of the
Ouachita River generates nearly $5.7 Billion annually and is
linked to nearly 21,000 full-time jobs in Louisiana and
Arkansas.
OUACHITA-BLACK RIVERS NAVIGATION PROJECT,
AR & LA
YEAR
TONNAGE YEAR TONNAGE
2000 1,598,000 2009 1,309,000
2001 1,655,000 2010 1,174,000
2002 1,611,000 2011 999,000
2003 1,715,000 2012 955,000
2004 1,744,000 2013 1,023000
2005 1,672,000 2014 1,075,000
2006 1,906,000 2015 945,000
2007 1,764,000 2016 884,000
2008 1,642,000 2017 797,000
2018 - 549,000
2019 502,000
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