How many barges and towboats are there?
There are approximately 26,000 dry cargo barges, 3,000 tanker barges, and 1,200 towboats operating today. How many barges are there in a tow? The average tow has 15 barges, but flotillas can go up to 40 barges, depending on the type of cargo, the river segments being navigated, and the size of the towboat. Smaller tributaries, such as the Alabama River, can support only a four-barge tow because of the meandering nature of the river and varying width of the river itself. In addition, the Alabama’s locks are only 84 feet wide and 600 feet long. How many locks are operated by the Corps of Engineers? The US Army Corps of Engineers operates 275 lock chambers. These locks are generally 110 feet wide, and either 600 feet or 1200 feet long. The most typical tow size through these locks is three barges wide and five long. The smaller tributaries, such as the Alabama River, sport locks that are 84 feet wide and 600 feet long, which can support tows of two-barge width and length. How many people
