BURLINGTON, Illinois — The Mississippi River is experiencing a level of drought not seen since 2012, and local tourism along river towns is feeling the impact.
It's something Potomac, Maryland couple Thomas and MiMi Wu have noticed along their travels down the river.
"Boy I heard about the Mississippi River a long time ago, it's the Mighty Mississippi," Thomas said. "We didn't study much."
According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, As of Oct. 27, the water level in Burlington is fluctuating between 7 feet and 8 feet, far below the 9-to-10 feet range it was reaching in July.
The lower water level is causing cruise ships and barges to cancel their routes through Burlington.
"With picking up another couple cruise lines, we were on an upward swing on our visits for the boats," Burlington Mayor Jon Billups said.
Two cruise lines have already told the town they won't be traveling through as planned. Billups said it isn't a huge issue right now, but it could become one if the drought doesn't end.
"The problem really is, is cost of food and coal and everything else that is shipped with barges is gonna go up," said Billups.
The highest the Mississippi River has ever crested in Burlington is 25.73 feet which it reached on June 17, 2008.
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