Drought Could Soon Put Strain On Shipping From Port Of Catoosa

More than a dozen U.S. trade organizations are pleading with the President to declare a state of emergency concerning shipping on the Mississippi River.

They say the water level on the Mississippi is dangerously low and shipping may become impossible.

Bob Portiss, the director of the Port of Catoosa, says the drought hasn't affected barge traffic on the Kerr-McClellan.

But he says without a Presidential declaration or a change in the weather, it could hit Oklahomans where it hurts.

"If we can't move that cargo by water, than we increase the cost of transportation exponentially," Portiss said.

More than 2 million tons of Cargo move through the Port of Catoosa every year.

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