Navigation Regulations

The Corps is amending the navigation regulations for the Red River Waterway, Louisiana and the Yazoo Diversion Canal at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Red River Waterway navigation regulation is amended to prescribe the maximum length, width, and draft of vessel tows that are allowed to enter the lock chamber for each lockage. The Yazoo Diversion Canal navigation regulation is amended to establish procedures and location for mooring of vessels along the west bank. The maximum length of allowable vessel tow that may enter the lock chamber for each lockage on the Red River Waterway, is increased from 685 feet to 705 feet. The maximum allowable width and draft of tow remains the same at 80 feet and 9 feet, respectively. Increasing the usable tow length to 705 feet will increase the efficiency of lock operations by reducing the number of tow breakups during a locking operation. The navigation regulation for the Yazoo Diversion Canal will clarify vessel mooring locations along the canal west bank for various river stages and provide that fairways will be established by the Vicksburg District Engineer. Establishing fairways and specifying locations along the west bank where vessels may moor during various river stages will control indiscriminate vessel moorings and improve navigation safety.