Barges stuck near Wabasha, Winona

WABASHA, Minn. (AP) — Mississippi River workers say roughly a dozen barges and their tugboats have been grounded by sandbars in Minnesota.

KTTC-TV reports at least nine tugboats are held up near Wabasha after heavy flooding in June washed soil into the river. More barges are stuck near Winona.

A tugboat captain bound for St. Louis says he expects the barges will be stuck for about a week as the river is dredged. He says his boats need about nine feet of water to clear the channel.

The captain says the standstill is a costly setback for industry that relies on the river.