Section Of River Closed Due To Bridge Collapse

Once spanning the river midway through the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, the I-35W bridge collapsed over the Mississippi River near Lower St. Anthony Falls on August 1st, closing the river to all commercial and recreational  traffic between Lock and Dam #1 and Upper St. Anthony Falls until further notice.  The U.S. Coast Guard has declared a safety zone from mile marker 847 to 854. This means that entry is prohibited to all vessels and persons unless authorized by the captain of the port of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River, St. Louis, Missouri. Mile marker 847 is just downstream from Lock and Dam #1 (Ford Dam); mile marker 854 is just above Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam. If you have business on the river and need a permit, call the Coast Guard Office at 314-269-2330. At the site of the collapse, the Mississippi is nearly 400 feet wide. Drought and near drought conditions in the north and western sections of the Mississippi River watershed have contributed to significant slowing of the water in this area. Normal flow rates for the north portion of the metropolitan average 4500 cubic feet per second. Currently flow rates are only about 1500 cubic feet per second. The park reports that no staff were personally affected by this tragedy. Check for updated information at http://www.nps.gov/miss.