By Chad Lampe
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-989320.mp3
Fulton, KY – The Hickman Fulton County River Port has been shipping and receiving grain and industrial products continuously since 1979. Located in the slack water of the Mississippi, water from upstream brings muddy sandy silt into the port, making the river increasingly shallow in that area. Huge barges need at least nine feet of water to travel fully loaded in and out of the port. As the silt builds up the Army Corp of engineers typically dredges the port to keep the traffic flowing. Congress has typically mandated the Corp dredge the water, but now after historic flooding and budget cuts, the Corp is spending its money on rehabbing river ways damaged by floods. Now without money to dredge these smaller ports along the Mississippi River. Port directors like Greg Curlin are trying to find a way to keep their port open.