National Weather Service reports falling water levels at upstream Mississippi River sites
St. Louis saw river levels reach 15.9 feet on September 26. The National Weather Service reported falling stages at multiple upstream Mississippi locations two days later.
Why it mattersNarrow channels and shallower drafts will slow barge transport right as peak soybean export season begins.
How we got here
- The river level at St. Louis measured 2.47 feet after earlier rainfall provided only a momentary rise. Iasoybeans
- The river at St. Louis rose 0.7 feet over twenty-four hours to reach 15.9 feet. Gov
- River stages fell at several upstream Mississippi River locations, including Canton, Quincy, Lock and Dam 21, and Hannibal. Gov
What's likely next
- October–December 2026: Shippers will monitor river levels during the peak soybean export season; Steenhoek warned that low water could make the navigation channel shallow and narrow and reduce barge-transport efficiency.
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