Low Mississippi River levels wreaked havoc on the agriculture transportation sector last year. This year, conditions have improved drastically, but the excess water could also prove problematic.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition says with higher water levels bring stronger currents, making it hard for tugboats trying to push or pull 15 or more barges. High water levels right now are a result of a record year for snowfall in the upper Midwest.
Steenhoek says the ground right now is not taking in much moisture, allowing levels to change dramatically in very short periods of time, meaning there is a possibility of less barges moving down the Mississippi.