BARGE SWEEPS AWAY DOCKS AND BOATS IN TREMPEALEAU

Barge traffic is a part of life here in the tri-states. Most of us have driven along the river and seen them from the highway or rode the waves next to them as they haul their cargo up and down river. They are moving faster than it looks and they don’t necessarily stop on a dime nor do they take off like a shot. They have to generate a lot of power to get momentum so they have to get their props really spinning to get going. The other day a barge had locked though the dam at Trempealeau and its props were pointed at a local establishment’s dock where patrons were tied up while they were eating and drinking. The churn of the props to the bank was so intense that it caused the dock to become dislodged and washing it away with the boats attached to it. Several patrons can be heard shouting in disbelief (along with other choice words so BE WARNED THAT SOME F BOMBS ARE DROPPED) as the dock quickly disappears from view. The MOST important thing is no one was injured and the it sounds like the tow boat company has already taken responsibility and is working to make things right. It just goes to show how powerful these boats are and even when not in full motion you need to use caution around them. Thanks to John Dehnke and Scott Gibbons for letting us share their video.