The towboat Bootsie B was pushing a tow of 28 barges, 13 empty and 15 loaded with cargo, when it ran aground near Greenville.   All the barges and towboat were later refloated.  There were no injuires, damage or pollution released.

The 145 foot long towboat David L. Fields was pushing a barge southbound when the barge ran aground near Brownsville, Minnesota.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.  Officials started emergency dredging operations as sediment has built up in the area where the barge grounded.   As the Mississippi’s water level has dropped to historic lows due to the severe drought, barges have been restricted to drafts less than the normal nine feet.    Officials closed traffic on the Mississippi River at the two locations due to the groundings.