By Associated Press
Florence, AL – River traffic on the Tennessee River is at a standstill after a barge struck the auxiliary lock at Wheeler Dam near Florence. The incident occurred Tuesday about 1 p-m. A similar mishap occurred August third when another barge damaged the dam's main lock. Now, both locks are out of service. A U-S Army Corps of Engineer official said it's likely all river traffic will be closed until at least December sixth. The Corps said the shutdown will impact Decatur ports because its facilities supply raw goods to dozens of companies along the Tennessee River.