WBRZ - Baton Rouge

A bit of a breather for shippers on the Mississippi River as the forecast shows water levels are dropping slower and may not halt barge traffic. At least two companies are already lightening their loads over concerns about the river's depth. The level at St. Louis is 13 feet and the Coast Guard says it may restrict barge traffic if the river dips to about 9 feet. The lower mark was forecast for Sunday or Monday. A revised river forecast is for the 9 foot mark around December 29.