The last tow of the 2025 Upper Mississippi River navigation season departed from St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The Motor Vessel Sierra Dawn departed late in the afternoon with 12 barges. Traditionally, the last tow to depart St. Paul and head south of Lock and Dam 2 marks the unofficial end of the navigation season.
The St. Paul District’s acting locks and dams chief said it’s a “bittersweet milestone” when the last tow of the season departs. “It’s the end of the season, but the work isn’t done,” said Mitch Serjogins. “Maintenance becomes our priority over the winter to ensure we continue providing a reliable navigation channel for the movement of commodities up and down the Mississippi River.”
The St. Paul District staff are working on maintenance projects scheduled at Lock and Dam 7, near La Crescent, Minnesota, and Lock and Dam 9, near Lynxville, Wisconsin.
SOURCE: NAFB News Service
