tow. Bout all I've ever seen, loaded anyway. Think that's as many that could go through any of the bigger locks north of Alton, without being broke down to lock through.
Several locks(most maybe) cant handle that many and the tow has to be broke down, rebuilt to go through. 1600ish ton will get you a 9' draft on the standard 35'x200'
barge. 9' is the normal draft, as that's what the CORP tries to keep the main channel at. Yes, when river is low the 9' draft is decreased accordingly and freight becomes
higher. Works the other way on the spring, as there may be more water to warrant a deeper draft. 56-58,000 bushel of corn and 52-54,000 bushel beans. When I loaded
barges several years ago, 9'3" draft fairly common in spring. Have loaded up to 10' a few times.