By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Coast Guard yesterday closed two stretches of the Mississippi River near St. Louis because of near record low water.
Two mile stretches south of the Jefferson Barracks Bridge in St. Louis and near Sainte Genevieve were closed; at least five barges have run aground this week. The groundings didn't cause any injuries or pollution.
The Casino Queen in East St. Louis has been closed since Tuesday because customers couldn't get on board.
The Army Corps of Engineers says a dry fall and below-normal temperatures in the upper river basin have left the Mississippi at near-historic low levels near St. Louis.