Little Diversion to Bean Branch Creek Anchorage

We departed early hoping to get through the Olmstead contruction project and Lock 53 today. I saw 14.0 mph today on the Mississippi, we normally travel at 8.5 mph so we were experiencing a current of 5.5 mph, incredible. once we turned up the Ohio River our speed droped to 6.8 mph due to an adverse current, we will continue up hill for the next 60 miles. We arrived at the point to notify the lockmaster about 1:00 and learned the lock was closed until 5:00.  Five of us rafted together on two anchors and two others rafted on their anchor, a 8th boat anchored by themselves. About 4:15 the lockmaster sent out a tow to escort us through the construction site and through lock 53. The wickets were down at lock 53 and we passed over the wicket dam and into the area between the dams. The real problem has been the backup at lock 52, I talked to the lockmaster and all the pleasure craft will meet at 8:00 tomorrow morning for a group lock through. We hope all will go well.

Ohio Fleeting Area, tows built to go down the Mississippi

Tows pushing into the banks waiting for a lock through

Rafting and waiting

Passing through the land lock at Olmstead

Olmstead construction project

Olmstead started in 1988, forecast completion 2020