By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri officials say low water-levels
on the Missouri River are preventing barges from delivering fertilizer to farmers.
The situation led Governor Holden to ask the Corps of Engineers to release more water from up-stream dams.
But the Corps says it has no plans to make the releases, which would raise the river's level and get barges moving again.
State Agriculture Director Lowell Mohler says about one-fourth of the fertilizer used by farmers is delivered by river.
Mohler says barges are being forced to lighten their loads because of the low river. And, even some lighter barges are getting stuck on sand bars.