Mississippi Barges Wreck.

Plume is a freelance writer based in New Orleans.

Coast Guard closes river periodically after high water causes 4 accidents

High water on the lower Mississippi River has wreaked havoc on inland water transportation this month, as several barge tows reeled out of control in the swift currents and intermittently shut down river traffic.

Last Tuesday, the upriver-bound Chinese freighter Hua Ron Shan collided with the downriver-bound tug Wendy 0 and its 15-barge tow four miles north of Donaldsonville, La., halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge Most of the barges were empty, but a half dozen were loaded with grain and salt.

Two other tugs …