U.S. Army Corps Navigation Statistics

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, released its 2025 navigation statistics for the Upper Mississippi River last week.

During the 2025 season, Corps staff supported 1,268 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 2, near Hastings, which was below the 10-year average of 1,432 lockages. 

The lockages supported over 5.7 million tons, or approximately 3,200 barges, of commodities shipped by the navigation industry.

In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 1,543 recreation vessels during 1,019 lockages. To minimize lockages, the Corps tries to include multiple recreation vessels during a single lockage. There were an additional 9 lockages from various government agencies including the Corps.

During the 2025 season, Corps staff supported 1,173 commercial navigation lockages at Lock and Dam 3, near Welch, which was below the 10-year average of 1,484 lockages. The lockages supported over 5.6 million tons, or approximately 3,200 barges, of commodities shipped by the navigation industry.

In addition to the commercial lockages, Corps staff locked 5,467 recreation vessels during 2,607 lockages.

The 2025 navigation season started March 19, 2025, when the Motor Vessel Neil N. Diehl broke her way through the ice of Lake Pepin enroute to St. Paul.

The 2025 navigation season unofficially ended Nov. 25, 2025, after the Motor Vessel Sierra Dawn departed St. Paul.