ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — It was recently featured in USA Today as the best way to paddle the Mississippi River, but because of emergency repairs to a lock north of St. Louis the Queen of the Mississippi cruise ship is stuck in Cape Girardeau.

KVFS-TV reports the Queen was on its way to Davenport, Iowa Tuesday when they had to turn around. A spokesperson with American Cruiselines says their not sure where they are going next.

Barge traffic is backed-up as well.

KTVI-TV reports that more than 40 vessels and 230 barges cannot move their goods through the lock at Granite City, Ill.

Emergency repairs began late last week after a barge hit a protection cell.

Lt. Colin Fogarty of the U.S. Coast Guard says nearly 50 percent of the nation’s farm exports pass St. Louis on barges, so the backup is significant. Meanwhile, because the river level is so low, tow operators are having a tough time finding a safe place to park barges along the river.

Army Corps of Engineers officials hope to finish repairs this week.

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