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Barge Company Will Quit Running on Missouri River

A MEMCO barge in front of the Arch (photo from Memco Barge Line)
A MEMCO barge in front of the Arch (photo from Memco Barge Line)

By AP/KWMU

St. Louis, MO – St. Louis-based Memco Barge Line says it will no longer do business on the Missouri River. It is one of the larger barge operators on the Missouri but the company blames unpredictable river levels, saying they've stalled barges and caused lost revenue.

The move is the latest news in a battle among several states over whether the river levels should be kept high enough to allow for barge traffic or low enough to protect some endangered species.

Agriculture and business officials say Memco's decision will hurt farmers and eventually raise prices for consumers.

Memco's Donald Huffman says even if Missouri and other down-stream states succeed in their battle over the river's flow, it may be too late for barge companies to win back their business.

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