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Monday, Jul 16, 2012 9:15 AM UTC

A year after floods, shippers face low Miss. River

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Topics: From the Wires,

A year after floods, shippers face low Miss. RiverIn this July 13, 2012, photo, the Memphis Queen riverboat moves up the Mississippi River, in Memphis, Tenn. A year after nearly record floods, the Mississippi River level has dropped so low that it's beginning to affect commercial operations. Port managers worry that their passages to the river could fill up with silt, and barge operators may have to lighten their loads. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)(Credit: AP)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A year ago, the Mississippi River swelled to near-historic proportions and flooded farms and homes from Illinois to Louisiana. Now, the water level is so low that cargo barges have run aground and their operators have been forced to lighten their loads.

Those who make their living on the river say it’s remarkable, yet normal. The river can be fickle and is high some years, low in others.

Tommy Hart is the director of the port in Greenville, Miss. He says he’s hoping for rain, something he usually doesn’t like.

The low water levels mean cargo ships have to carry lighter loads, which means they make less money each trip.

The shrinking river has been caused by low rainfall totals, as well as a mild winter.

More Adrian Sainz.

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