UNDATED  (WSAU)  -  The drought is still having an impact, and right now, it’s most noticable in the shipping industry. 

With water levels falling again, the American Waterways Operations and Waterways Council warns commerce downstream on the Mississippi River could come to a halt as soon as next week. The U.S. Coast Guard says it is confident the nation’s largest waterway will remain open, despite the effects of the worst drought in decades.

The council says even if the river is open, additional limits on barges will stop most commercial traffic in the southern states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports ice on the northern Mississippi has reduced the flow more than expected.

New limits could go into effect by January 6th.