Lock and Dam Number 52 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lock and Dam Number 52 |
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| Location | Illinois/Kentucky border |
| Coordinates | 37°07′20″N 88°39′22″W / 37.1221°N 88.6560°W |
| Opening date | 1928 |
| Operator(s) |  United States Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Wicket |
| Impounds | Ohio River |
| Length | 2,998 feet |
| Reservoir | |
| Normal elevation | 302 feet above sealevel |
Lock and Dam 52 was a very important structure on the Ohio River. It helped boats and barges move goods safely. It was located near the border of Illinois and Kentucky. This lock and dam was a key part of river travel for many years. It was the 19th lock and dam built on the Ohio River.
Contents
What is a Lock and Dam?
A lock and dam system helps boats travel on rivers. A dam holds back water to create a deeper section of the river. A lock is like a water elevator for boats. It lets boats move between different water levels.
Lock and Dam 52 was finished in 1929. It was about 939 miles downstream from Pittsburgh. It was also 23 miles upstream from where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi River.
Why Lock and Dam 52 Was Important
Lock and Dam 52 was one of the busiest locks in the United States. In 2015, over 80 million tons of cargo passed through it. This cargo included things like coal, oil, and farm products. This made it very important for the economy.
However, the lock was also a "bottleneck." This means it caused long delays for boats. Sometimes, boats had to wait 15 to 20 hours to pass through. This slowed down the movement of goods.
How Big Were the Locks?
Lock and Dam 52 had two locks for large barges.
- One lock was 1,200 feet long and 110 feet wide.
- The other lock was 600 feet long and 110 feet wide.
Replacing the Old Lock
Locks and dams are built to last about 50 years. Lock and Dam 52 was much older than that. It needed to be replaced. A new project called the Olmsted Locks and Dam was planned to take its place. It would also replace nearby Lock and Dam 53.
Delays and Costs
The Olmsted project faced many delays.
- It was first planned to be finished in 1998.
- By 2016, the completion date was moved to October 2018.
- By October 2017, it was expected to be done by 2024.
The cost of the Olmsted project also grew a lot. It went from about $775 million to $2.9 billion. The delays at Lock and Dam 52 cost a lot of money each year, about $640 million. This showed how important it was to fix America's river systems.
Who Manages the Rivers?
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a government agency. They are in charge of keeping rivers open for boats. They maintain locks and dams across the country. They worked on the Olmsted project to replace Lock and Dam 52.
Lock and Dam 52 officially closed in September 2018, when the Olmsted Locks and Dam began operating.
