"JACKSON, Miss. -- Cargo was slowly moving along the bloated Mississippi River after a costly daylong standstill, while officials kept an eye on the lower Delta where thousands of acres of farmland could be swamped by water that is inching closer to the top of a levee.

The Coast Guard for much of Tuesday closed a 15-mile stretch at Natchez, Miss., north of New Orleans, blocking vessels heading toward the Gulf of Mexico and others trying to return north after dropping off their freight.

Later in the day, barges that haul coal, timber, iron, steel and more than half of America's grain exports were again allowed to pass, but at the slowest possible speed. Such interruptions could cost the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars for each day the barges are idled, as the toll from the weeks of flooding from Arkansas to Louisiana continues to mount. "

The Associated Press had the story May 18, 2011. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"High Mississippi River Water Disrupts River Traffic, Empties Corps' Dredging Budget, Delays Hurricane Levees" (New Orleans Times-Picayune)  [3]

"Once-Rare Mississippi River Flooding Now 'More Frequent and More Severe'" (Greenwire)
[4]
"As Mississippi River Floodwaters Approach, Many Homeowners Are Not Insured" (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
[5]
"Mississippi River Flooding May Wipe Out Oysters" (Biloxi Sun Herald) [6]

"New Orleans Family Oyster Company Sees Only Dark Days Ahead" (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
[7]
"Flooding Hinders Shipping on  The Mississippi River" (AP)
[8]
"Mississippi Flooding To Affect National Economy" (CBS) [9]

"Mississippi River Flood Evacuees Move Into Enclave Built For Katrina" (AP) [10]

"Mississippi River Flood's Economic Toll Rising" (New York Times) [11]

"Mississippi Water Levels Top 1927 Flood" (Jena Times) [12]