PHOTO GALLERY: Efforts to deepen Mississippi River continue

By Paul Newton/The Associated Press

January 7, 2013 | 4:30 p.m. CST

Cranes are used to pull a rock out of the Mississippi River as part of efforts to deepen the waterway on Monday. The work is being completed just outside of Thebes, Ill. The rock-clearing effort is considered vital in ensuring that stretch of river remains open to barge traffic.

Workers with Durocher Marine pull a rock out of the river while working to deepen the waterways on Monday on the Mississippi River just outside of Thebes, Ill. The rock-clearing effort is considered vital in ensuring that stretch of river remains open to barge traffic. | Paul Newton/The Associated Press

Boats from Newt Marine in Dubuque, Iowa, work to remove rock pinnacles from the Mississippi River in order to deepen it. | Paul Newton/The Associated Press

Durocher Marine boats sit in the Mississippi River as they work to deepen the waterways on Monday. The rock-clearing effort is considered vital in ensuring that stretch of river remains open to barge traffic. | Paul Newton/The Associated Press

Employees with Durocher Marine pull a rock out of the Mississippi River in an effort to deepen the waterway. | Paul Newton/The Associated Press