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Maxwell Lock & Dam facts for kids
| Maxwell Lock and Dam | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Fayette / Washington counties, near Centerville, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°00′07″N 79°57′36″W / 40.002°N 79.960°W |
| Construction began | 1960 |
| Opening date | 1965 |
| Operator(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Monongahela River |
The Maxwell Lock and Dam is an important structure on the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania. It helps boats travel safely along the river. This lock and dam is located between Centerville in Washington County and Luzerne Township in Fayette County.
It is part of a system of dams that makes the Monongahela River deep enough for boats to use. This system stretches all the way from Fairmont, West Virginia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District takes care of the Maxwell Lock and Dam.
What is a Lock and Dam?
A lock is like a water elevator for boats. It helps boats move from one water level to another. Imagine a boat needing to go upstream where the river is higher. The lock fills with water to lift the boat up. If a boat needs to go downstream, the lock empties water to lower the boat.
A dam is a barrier built across a river. Its main job is to control the water level. The dam at Maxwell helps keep the river deep enough for large boats to pass through easily.
How Maxwell Lock and Dam Works
Maxwell Lock and Dam has two special chambers called lock chambers. These are the "water elevators" for boats. They are located on the right side of the river as you look downstream.
The water level above the dam is called the upper pool. At Maxwell, this upper pool stretches about 20.8 miles (33.5 kilometers) upstream. It reaches all the way to another lock and dam called Grays Landing Lock and Dam. This system ensures a smooth journey for boats along the river.
Building Maxwell Lock and Dam
The construction of the Maxwell Lock and Dam started in 1960. It took five years to build and was finished in 1965. This new structure replaced an older one called Lock and Dam 6, which was located at Rices Landing, Pennsylvania.