UA report: Arkansas waterways support more than 40,000 jobs

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The five navigable waterways in or connected to Arkansas are responsible for more than 40,000 jobs in the state and generate an estimated $5.5 billion in revenue for the state economy, according to a new report pushed by the Arkansas Waterways Commission.

The “Regional Economic Impact Study of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS),” was published for the commission in June 2024 by Heather Nachtmann with the Marine Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC) at the University of Arkansas.

Arkansas’ five navigable waterways are the portion of the Mississippi River that is the state’s eastern border, the Arkansas River, and the Ouachita, Red, and White Rivers, according to the commission. Of those, the Arkansas River provides a bulk of the economic impact to the state.

UA report: Arkansas waterways support more than 40,000 jobs

Mississippi River projected to be at minus levels during harvest for third straight year

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Drought conditions have plagued farmers for the last two harvest seasons, but haven’t been a factor this growing season. One side impact has been on the water levels of the Mississippi River.

Last year, the river at Memphis dropped to an all-time low of minus 11.5 feet in October. It topped the previous record of minus 10.81 feet set in 2022. Despite consistent rain throughout much of the region, the river is projected to be at minus 3.2 feet by Aug. 27, according to NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.

The mid-south hasn’t had drought-like conditions, but a lack of snow last winter in the upper Midwest and lower rain levels throughout the spring and summer have led to lower water levels with many tributaries in the river’s upper system.

Mississippi River projected to be at minus levels during harvest for third straight year

Arkansas Waterways Commission officials say the agency ‘needs to be recognized’

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Waterways Commission officials are concerned about the “small staff of two” getting lost in an organizational shuffle, but are optimistic that state leaders understand the need to protect a group that promotes and protects the state’s waterways.

The Arkansas Waterways Commission was established in 1967 and, for several decades, reported directly to the governor. However, during a state government realignment under Gov. Asa Hutchinson, it was placed within the Arkansas Department of Commerce.

The commission “is the sole state agency responsible for developing, promoting and protecting waterborne transportation in Arkansas. The Commission also promotes economic development for ports on the five commercially navigable rivers of the state: The Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouachita, Red, and White Rivers,” according to the commission.

Arkansas Waterways Commission officials say the agency ‘needs to be recognized’

Mississippi River levels continue to drop; barge rates continue to rise

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Weeks of little to no rain are compounding barge problems on the Mississippi River, and the drought-like conditions that have dried up the river’s tributary system throughout the upper and lower Delta region are predicted to worsen.

Barge rates near Memphis have yet to hit the heights of October 2022, but the rates did see significant increases at the end of August. A slight retreat during the first week of September was promptly erased by an increase the week of Sept. 12.

Last year, the river level sank to a record minus 10.81 feet at Memphis during harvest time, stopping barges for two days and sending barge freight rates to a record high of nearly $90 per ton of grain. As of Sept. 5, the river level declines have caused barge rates to increase to $30 per ton.

Mississippi River levels continue to drop; barge rates continue to rise - Talk Business & Politics

Sultana Disaster Museum receives $1 million federal grant; Southwest Trail gets $2 million

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

For years, an effort has been underway to build a museum to commemorate the sinking of the Sultana, a Civil War steamboat that sank April 27, 1865, in the choppy waters of the Mississippi River near the city of Marion. An estimated 1,200 passengers died making it the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.

The Sultana Disaster Museum on Tuesday (July 19) received a $1 million grant from the American Rescue Plan. Garland and Saline counties each received $1 million grants from the ARP to develop trail systems.

For the museum to receive the grant, locals had to put up a $250,000 match. The project will create 90 jobs and generate $200,000 in private investments.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/sultana-disaster-museum-receives-1-million-federal-grant-southwest-trail-gets-2-million/

On April 27, 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River about 7 miles from Memphis.

Rutledge honors Sultana Disaster Museum with $250,000 donation

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced the allocation of funds to the Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion. The new multi-million-dollar center will honor the 1,200 men, women, and children who died in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. Attorney General Rutledge is allocating $250,000 to the Sultana Historical Preservation Society which created the museum.

The new Sultana Disaster Museum expects to attract 50,000 visitors annually, and is anticipated to inject approximately $3.5 million into Crittenden County and the Delta Region.

“What happened during the Sultana Disaster is heartbreaking and we must all remember those who tragically lost their lives that day,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “I pray the new museum will honor the victims and teach our young people about the horrific event that happened on the Mississippi River in 1865.”

In 1865, the Sultana was traveling up the Mississippi River when both boilers powering the steam engine exploded, causing the ship to sink. While the Sultana was designed to carry fewer than 400 passengers, the army overloaded the ship with over 2,200 passengers causing the incident to be the most deadly maritime accident in United States history. This historic event was overshadowed by the assassination of President Lincoln just two weeks prior.