Markland Locks and Dam facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Markland Locks and Dam
Markland Locks and Dam
Location	Gallatin County, Kentucky / York Township, Switzerland County, Indiana United States
Coordinates	38°46′29″N 84°57′51″W / 38.77472°N 84.96417°W / 38.77472; -84.96417
Construction began	March 1956
Opening date	June 1964
Operator(s)	United States Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District, Duke Energy Indiana
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Ohio River
Length	1395 ft (425.2 m)
Power station
Operator(s)	Duke Energy
Installed capacity	81 Mva

The Markland Locks and Dam is a concrete dam bridge and locks that span the Ohio River. It is 1395 feet (425.2 m) long, and connects Gallatin County, Kentucky, and Switzerland County, Indiana.

The locks and dam were reviewed by the Board of Engineers for River and Harbours to replace the Ohio River locks and dams Number 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39. Then the project was approved by the Secretary of the Army on March 11, 1953. Construction on the locks began in March 1956 and they were placed in operation in May 1959. The dam construction began in April 1959 and was finished in June 1964.

Federal Power Commission granted a license for Cinergy to operate a hydroelectric power plant at the dam. Cinergy was later bought by Duke Energy. The plant has a capacity of 81,000 kVA.

On September 27, 2009, the 1,200-foot lock failed and the gates "mismitered" due to a solenoid malfunction. The lock was repaired and reopened on March 1, 2010. The 1,200-foot lock chamber remained closed for 155 days, but the 600-foot lock continued to lock traffic albeit with delays.