Melvin Price Locks and Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melvin Price Locks and Dam |
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Melvin Price Locks and Dam
(Lock and Dam number 26) |
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 Location of Melvin Price Locks and Dam in USA Missouri
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| Location | Alton, Illinois / West Alton, Missouri, USA |
| Coordinates | 38°52′09″N 90°09′13″W / 38.86917°N 90.15361°W |
| Construction began | 1978 |
| Opening date | 1989 |
| Operator(s) |  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Upper Mississippi River |
| Length | 1,160 feet (353.6 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Pool 26 |
| Total capacity | 238,000 acre⋅ft (0.294 km3) |
| Catchment area | 171,470 sq mi (444,100 km2) |
The Melvin Price Locks and Dam is a very important structure on the Upper Mississippi River. It helps boats travel safely along the river. This huge dam and its two special "locks" are located about 17 miles (27 km) north of St. Louis, Missouri.
You can learn all about how it works at the National Great Rivers Museum. This museum is right next to the dam in East Alton, Illinois. It explains the amazing engineering behind this structure.
Contents
What is the Melvin Price Locks and Dam?
The Melvin Price Locks and Dam is a big structure that helps control the Mississippi River. It has two main parts: a dam and two locks. The dam is like a wall that holds back water, creating a calm pool for boats. The locks are like special water elevators that lift or lower boats. This allows them to move between different water levels.
This dam is located at river mile 200.78. This means it's 200.78 miles (323.12 km) from the mouth of the river. It helps keep the river deep enough for large boats to pass.
How Do Locks and Dams Work?
A lock is a section of a river or canal that can be closed off. It has gates at both ends. When a boat wants to pass, it enters the lock. The gates close, and water is either added or removed from the lock. This changes the water level inside. Once the water level matches the river on the other side, the other gate opens. The boat can then continue its journey.
The Melvin Price Locks and Dam has two locks. The main lock is very long, about 1,200 feet (366 meters). It is also 110 feet (34 meters) wide. This is big enough for many large barges. There is also a smaller, auxiliary lock. It is 600 feet (183 meters) long and 110 feet (34 meters) wide. These locks help thousands of boats move goods up and down the river every year.
The dam itself is 1,160 feet (354 meters) long. It has nine large gates called tainter gates. Each gate is 110 feet (34 meters) wide and 42 feet (13 meters) high. These gates can be opened or closed to let water through. This helps control the river's flow and prevent flooding.
Building This Huge Structure
Building the Melvin Price Locks and Dam was a huge project! Construction started in 1979. The main lock opened for boats in 1990. The entire structure was finished in 1994.
This new dam replaced an older one, called Lock and Dam No. 26. The old dam was taken down in 1990. The Melvin Price Locks and Dam was the first new structure built for the Upper Mississippi River's "nine-foot navigation project." This project makes sure the river is at least nine feet deep for boats.
Who Was Melvin Price?
The Melvin Price Locks and Dam is named after Charles Melvin Price. He was a very important politician from Illinois. He served as a Congressman for many years. Naming the dam after him was a way to honor his work and dedication to the region.
Images for kids
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Annotated image of the lock and dam
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Dam and locks from Missouri shore
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Close-up of the gates on the Melvin Price Lock & Dam
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An aerial view of the lock and dam
| List of locks and dams of the Upper Mississippi River | ||
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| Upstream: Lock and Dam No. 25 |
Downstream: Chain of Rocks Lock |
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