12-21 FB Tow Boat

In regards to Dr. Sparks analogy from the boyhood home of Samuel L. Clemens, in Hannibal, Mo., the term tugboat is incorrect, they are called Tow Boats that have 15 barges in tow. Now tow is a loose play on words, the tow boats push the barges that are all wired together with rigging, known as "River Jewelery" comprised of ratchets, wires and straps.  These barges with a nine to 10ft foot draft can hold over 1500 to 1600 tons per barge.  And yes, those covered barges are indeed loaded with corn, soybeans, and GMO beans. This doesn't even include, wheat, milo, and corn feed pellets.  You also have to take into consideration, liquid fertilizer that is brought north bound in double skinned, double hulled tank barges, which can hold upwards of 100,000+ barrels.   One 15 barge tow, will hold 24 thousand tons, a 30 barge tow on the Lower Mississippi can be 40,000 tons. As to the low water situation the issue of water flow on the Missouri River from the Dakota's has been an ongoing battle for decades, not just a couple of years, and this is even in non years of low water conditions.  Because of the severe drought, conditions all along the Upper as well as the Lower Mississippi River have been a strain.  Every year is different depending on snow fall and rain come spring time.  Everything hinges on how much snow fall and how much each state that borders the Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri even the Ohio plays an effect on the river stage.  It's also important to know that all the "Feeder Rivers" that come into the main Mississippi, Illinois etc plays a factor as well, not everything comes right out of Lake Itasca.  We all pay in the pocket book if the river is closed for any length of time, or if barges have to be lightered of draft, prices for food goes up so rather you are in Idaho, maryland or anystate in the Union it effects ALL of us.  I have worked on tow boats and have been around the river all of my life.  John Miller Mile 364 Upper Mississippi River.