The Mississippi River will remain open for now, despite low water levels. Senator Dick Durbin took a tour of the river, getting a firsthand look at just how bad the situation is.

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The Army Corp of Engineers is working diligently to remove rock buildup from the Mississippi River, with the hopes of keeping barge traffic moving. Senator Durbin says they shut the river down for about 16 hours a day near Thebes, Illinois.

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The forecast is a bit more grim closer to St. Louis, though, where water levels could drop to nine feet by the end of the week. Keeping the waterways open is a major priority for state officials because it's a hub for Illinois' ag and export industries.