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Low water levels in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers impact local businesses

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Some parts of the Ohio River have low water levels. That can impact a lot of businesses that send products up and down the river.

GOLCONDA, Ill. (WSIL)-- There has been a lack of rain in our region, which is starting to have an impact on river levels.

Some parts of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers have low water levels. 

The low levels can impact a lot of businesses that send products up and down the river. 

It can also impact local businesses located near the waterway.

Devin Nevels is docking his boat after an early morning of fishing on the Ohio River.

He says with the lower water levels he couldn't go to his favorite spots including Lusk Creek.

“You can not get into some of the places,� Nevels says. “And you get stuck and sometimes it can be a problem getting out of there.�

With lower water levels, Golcanda's Marina Manager Keith Collier says they could see fewer people stopping by.

“We have a lot of visitors, river traffic, pleasure crafts that come from the Evansville area down here regularly. So if they're having issues north of us or south of us, it could affect us,� Collier said.

Collier says lower water levels can impact everyone.

“A lot of commerce goes up and down this river, so yeah, it could definitely affect supply and demand,� Collier said.

Collier says the Smithland Pool, or the 70-mile stretch that the marina is located in, has had steady levels because it's regulated.

“They forecast, and determine what needs to go on as far as the water levels to adjust it to,� Collier said.

Collier says even the Marina’s business can be impacted by the low water levels from other waterways and silting issues.

“We're the only on the water facility from Evansville to Paducah. So about 150-mile stretch or so, We're the only facility for people to get gas, so it could create problems for pleasure boating and for fishing for sure,� Collier said.

Nevels says that changing water levels becomes an expensive guessing game because you could damage your boat if you get stuck.

“Like in the ocean on high tides and low tides, you know, they just pull the water in and out and you can see it. It's very noticeable,� Nevels said.

But after a nice day on the water, Nevels says it was smooth sailing.