All stories from this date's edition of the web site are listed in the column to the right of this text. To browse other previous editions, click HERE . Three public meetings are scheduled this week for the project, designed to revive aquatic vegetation in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River. The project was postponed last year because of low water flows. The likelihood and feasibility of a drawdown this summer between Lock and Dam 7 at Dresbach, Minn., and Lock and Dam 8 at Genoa, Wis., depend on several conditions, Corps officials say.
Routine channel dredging for barge and towboats is the biggest factor right now.
While startup of commercial navigation was delayed this year because of flooding, shippers are fully on board for the project, said Dick Otto of the Corps' La Crescent office. This year's flood redistributed sediment, so dredging might be more than routine. Depth surveys were conducted last week to determine the volume and location of sand. Results will be known this week, and some areas will be dredged deeper than normal to accommodate barge traffic, Otto said. Commodities companies are prepared for some slowdown of shipping in Pool 8 during the project.