River-served utilities seeking to rebuild coal stockpiles burned down during this winter's cold are facing delays because barge operators are behind and many are unable to meet demand. Operating conditions are primarily back to normal along the upper Ohio river as well as the Monongahela, Kanawha and Big Sandy rivers. Sustained temperatures above freezing helped the thick ice along the Illinois river to start melting but also resulted in high water that kept some barges from moving. Operators expect water levels to recede, allowing more barges to move.
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