PLEASANTS COUNTY, W.Va. — River traffic on the Ohio River has been halted at the Willow Island Locks and Dam due to ice buildup caused by recent extreme cold temperatures.
Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report that ice accumulation is preventing lock gates from closing properly, forcing a temporary shutdown of vessel movement at the facility, located just south of the Ohio Valley area.
Engineers warn that additional locks north of Willow Island could soon face similar issues if freezing conditions continue.
No timeline has been announced for when normal river traffic operations will resume.
