An Ergon boat pushes barges up the Mississippi River Friday as the river's level falls below sandbars near the mouth of the Yazoo Diversion Canal. The river stage at Vicksburg was 1.9 feet, 41.3 feet below flood stage. The river has dropped steadily throughout the summer and was expected to continue at low stages until rain in the basin begins in the fall. Over the past several weeks, the lower water levels have affected some river traffic going into the canal, and the vessels of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, which normally dock at City Front, have been forced tie up at LeTourneau Landing. In addition, fishermen and boaters who routinely use all of City Front for launching their craft, have had only only a ramp that extends into the mud. (Brian Loden • The Vicksburg Post)