ALTON, IL (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
Early Friday morning, the main 1,200 foot lock chamber at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam south of Alton had to be closed due to river ice. The ice was preventing a giant lift gate at the lock's upstream end from operation properly. Ice accumulating and moving down stream has had to be "flushed" through the main lock chamber to keep it open. But at 2 a.m. Friday morning, ice formed a "gorge" or large accumulation that prevented the lift gates that open and close the upstream end of the lock from operating properly.Crews took emergency action to cut off the river flow and realign the three gate sections. The Corps of Engineers was able to safely complete their work and reopen the lock at around 1:00 p.m.
Several barge tows were held along the riverbank downstream of the Mel Price facility waiting the lock's reopening. It will take some time to get all the river traffic running back on schedule.
The auxiliary 600-foot chamber at the Mel Price Locks and Dam remains out of operation due to ice accumulation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that ice conditions are the worst they have been in 20 years. Three industry vessels continue to work together above the locks to maintain the channel up to and into the Illinois River.
