Jamie Whitten Lock and Dam facts for kids
The Jamie Whitten Lock and Dam is an important part of the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway, often called the Tenn-Tom. It's located in southern Tishomingo County, Mississippi, United States. This amazing structure helps boats travel between different water levels.
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What is a Lock and Dam?
A lock and dam system is like a giant water elevator for boats. It helps boats move from one water level to another. This is super important when rivers or canals have different heights. The dam holds back water, creating a lake. The lock is a chamber that fills with water to raise a boat or empties to lower it.
The Tenn-Tom Waterway
The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is a huge man-made canal system. It connects the Tennessee River with the Tombigbee River. This link creates a direct shipping route from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf of Mexico. It's a busy path for barges carrying goods.
How the Jamie Whitten Lock Works
The Jamie Whitten Lock and Dam is the very first lock you reach if you're traveling north on the Tenn-Tom. It was built for about US$75 million. This lock is special because it's one of the tallest single lift locks in the United States. It can raise or lower barges an incredible 84 feet (26 m)! That's like lifting a boat as high as an eight-story building. The dam also creates a large body of water called Bay Springs Lake.
Who was Jamie Whitten?
This lock and dam was first named Bay Springs Lock and Dam. But it was later renamed to honor Jamie Whitten. He was a very important person from Mississippi. Jamie Whitten served in the United States House of Representatives for more than 50 years. This means he helped make laws for the country for a very long time. In fact, he served longer than any other Representative in history!
