Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 5 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 5
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Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 5, September 2013
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 830 River Rd., Gilpin Township, Pennsylvania and South Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 33 acres (13 ha) |
| Built | 1920-1927 |
| Built by | Corps of Engineer; Dravo Construction Company |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| MPS | Allegheny River Navigation System MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000399 |
| Added to NRHP | April 21, 2000 |
The Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 5 is an important historical structure. It's a special kind of water gate (a lock) and a wall across the river (a dam). This complex is found in Gilpin Township and South Buffalo Township in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
It was built between 1920 and 1927. The United States Army Corps of Engineers created this project. The complex includes the lock, the dam, a walkway (esplanade), and an Operations Building.
Contents
What is a Lock and Dam?
A lock and dam system helps boats travel safely on a river. A dam is like a big wall built across a river. It holds back water to create a deeper area, called a pool. This helps boats avoid shallow spots.
A lock is a chamber with gates. It acts like a water elevator for boats. When a boat wants to go upriver, the lock fills with water. This lifts the boat to the higher water level. When a boat wants to go downriver, water is let out. This lowers the boat to the lower water level.
Key Features of Lock and Dam No. 5
The lock at this site is quite large. It measures about 56 feet wide and 360 feet long. It can lift or lower boats by about 11.6 feet.
The dam itself is also impressive. It stands about 22 feet high. It stretches across the river for about 632 feet.
Location on the Allegheny River
This lock and dam are located on the Allegheny River. They are about 30.4 miles upstream from Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh.
The lock and dam are also very close to the mouth of the Kiskiminetas River. This river joins the Allegheny just 0.2 miles downstream.
River Water Levels
The Allegheny River is divided into different sections called "pools." These pools have different water levels.
- Upriver: Above Lock No. 5, the water is in Allegheny Pool No. 5. Its average water level is about 757 feet above sea level. This pool extends about 5.9 miles upstream to Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 6.
- Downriver: Below Lock No. 5, the water is in Allegheny Pool No. 4. Its average water level is about 745.4 feet above sea level. This pool extends about 6.2 miles downstream to Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 4.
This difference in water levels means Lock No. 5 is very important. It helps boats move smoothly between these two pools. It lifts or lowers them by about 11.6 feet.
The Operations Building
The Operations Building is also known as the powerhouse. It's a two-story building. Its design is simple and practical, in a style called Moderne. This building helps control the lock and dam operations.
Why Were They Built?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Lock and Dam No. 5. It was part of a much larger plan. This plan created a system of locks and dams along the Allegheny River. The main goal was to make it easier for boats to travel and transport goods. This helped trade and transportation in the region.
A Historic Landmark
The Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 5 is considered an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2000. This means it's recognized for its historical importance to the United States.
