The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, saw the last barge of the year, the Motor Vessel Ashley Danielson, depart Lock and Dam 2 on Tuesday, November 29th, at 4:25 AM, ending the 2022 navigation season on the Upper Mississippi River. Traditionally, the last tow departing the capital city heading south of Lock and Dam 2 has marked the unofficial end of the navigation season. The last tow to leave St. Paul usually occurs around the last week of November or the first week of December. The 2022 season started March 21 when the Motor Vessel Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr., broke its way through the ice of Lake Pepin to travel to St. Paul. While they say goodbye to the 2022 navigation season, St. Paul District staff are busy this coming winter with maintenance projects scheduled at Locks and Dams 3 and 4 for miter gate anchorage bar replacement. The repairs are scheduled for completion in March 2023.
