The Joseph Patrick Eckstein passed Red Wing Grain at 6:33 pm on March 16th.  Bringing 12 loaded barges up the Mississippi River, it was the first vessel to pass marking the beginning of the shipping season on the Upper Mississippi.  Due to the warm winter, Lake Pepin ice posed no challenge to navigation this year.

The series of photos show the tow moving past the elevator from the view of the falcon cam high above the river.  The falcon has also returned marking another sure sign spring is here!