The crew had to hide from passing Japanese barge traffic.
The lower reaches of the river have been canalized to allow barge traffic.
This connection and an increase in barge traffic led to a requirement for more water.
"Yes; there's still heavy barge traffic up here, so everything is well marked."
And before you ask, no, we didn't run into much barge traffic.
St. Louis has long been known for its barge traffic and steamboats.
But competition from the railroad led to a decline in barge traffic.
Of these waterways the Illinois is thought to be the only river large enough to support barge traffic.
The drawdown would also halt barge traffic for several months each year.
A new port has recently been built to accommodate an increase in barge traffic.