New Cumberland Locks and Dam facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New Cumberland Lock and Dam
The New Cumberland Lock and Dam on the Ohio River.
Official name	New Cumberland Locks and Dam
Location	Ohio/West Virginia border
Coordinates	40°31′41″N 80°37′33″W / 40.5281°N 80.6259°W / 40.5281; -80.6259
Construction began	1955
Opening date	1961
Operator(s)	United States Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gated
Impounds	Ohio River
Reservoir
Normal elevation	664 feet above sea level

The New Cumberland Lock and Dam is an important structure on the Ohio River. It helps boats and barges travel safely along the river. This dam is the fourth one you'd find if you traveled downstream from Pittsburgh. It's located about 54 miles (87 kilometers) from that city.

What is a Lock and Dam?

A lock and dam system helps boats move up and down a river. Rivers often have different water levels. A dam holds back water to create a deeper pool upstream. A lock is like a water elevator for boats. It lets them go from one water level to another.

How a Lock Works

Imagine a big chamber with gates at both ends.

• If a boat wants to go downstream, it enters the lock from the higher water level.
• The upstream gate closes, and water is slowly let out of the chamber.
• As the water level drops, the boat goes down with it.
• Once the water inside matches the lower level, the downstream gate opens.
• The boat can then exit and continue its journey.

The process is reversed for boats going upstream.

About New Cumberland Dam

The New Cumberland Lock and Dam is a "gated" type of dam. This means it has gates that can be opened or closed. This helps control the water flow and level. The water behind the dam is about 664 feet (202 meters) above sea level. This structure sits right on the border between Ohio and West Virginia.

Building the Dam

Construction on the New Cumberland Lock and Dam began in 1955. It took several years to build this large project. The dam officially opened in 1961. It has been helping river traffic ever since. The United States Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District operates and maintains the dam.

The Locks at New Cumberland

The New Cumberland facility has two main locks:

• Commercial Lock: This is the larger lock. It's 1,200 feet (366 meters) long and 110 feet (33.5 meters) wide. It's mainly used by large commercial barges. These barges carry goods like coal, grain, and chemicals.
• Recreational Lock: This is a smaller, "auxiliary" lock. It's 600 feet (183 meters) long and 110 feet (33.5 meters) wide. It's mostly used by smaller boats, like those used for fishing or pleasure.

Busy Waterway

The locks at New Cumberland are quite busy. On average, about 320 commercial barges pass through the main lock each month. The recreational lock also sees a good amount of traffic. Around 120 recreational boats use it every month. This shows how important the Ohio River is for both trade and fun!