The Little Rock District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently identified a loose barge lodged against the David D. Terry Lock and Dam near Little Rock, Arkansas. This discovery was made during a routine inspection.
Despite the barge’s impact, the dam is functioning as intended. Preliminary evaluations suggest that the barge made contact with the dam with some force, potentially causing minor damage, but there are no indications of any structural compromise.
The barge is currently obstructing gate 15, and as a result, the water flow through gate 16 is being restricted.
It is believed that the barge became detached upstream in Pool 6 amid ongoing high-water conditions. The specific origin and time of the barge’s impact on the dam are yet to be determined.
In response, the Little Rock District is actively collaborating with the towing industry, the Little Rock Port Authority, and the Coast Guard to ascertain the ownership of the barge.
