Racine Lock and Dam facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Racine Lock and Dam
Official name	Racine Lock and Dam
Location	Ohio/West Virginia border
Coordinates	38°54′59″N 81°54′36″W / 38.9164°N 81.9101°W / 38.9164; -81.9101
Construction began	1964
Opening date	1971
Construction cost	$64,882,900
Operator(s)	United States Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	8 Tainter gates
Impounds	Ohio River
Length	1,173 feet
Reservoir
Normal elevation	560 feet above sealevel
Power station
Operator(s)	American Electric Power Company
Installed capacity	24 MW

The Racine Lock and Dam is a big structure on the Ohio River. It helps boats travel safely and smoothly. This lock and dam is the ninth one you'd find if you traveled downstream from Pittsburgh. It sits right on the border between Ohio and West Virginia.

What is the Racine Lock and Dam?

The Racine Lock and Dam is a key part of the Ohio River's navigation system. It helps manage the river's water level. This allows large boats, like barges, to move goods easily. The dam also helps generate electricity.

How Do Locks and Dams Work?

A lock and dam system is like a giant water elevator for boats. The dam part holds back water to create a deeper section of the river. This deeper water is called a pool. The lock part is a chamber with gates at both ends.

• When a boat wants to pass, it enters the lock chamber.
• The gates close behind it.
• Water is either added to or removed from the chamber. This raises or lowers the boat to the new water level.
• Once the boat is at the correct level, the front gates open. The boat can then continue its journey.

The Racine Lock and Dam has two locks. One is a very long lock, 1,200 feet long and 110 feet wide. This one is for big commercial barges. There's also a smaller, auxiliary lock. It is 600 feet long and 110 feet wide.

Building the Dam: A Big Project

Building the Racine Lock and Dam was a huge undertaking. Construction started in 1964. It took many years of hard work to complete. The dam officially opened in 1971. The total cost of building it was over $64 million. The United States Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains the dam. They are responsible for keeping the river safe for navigation.

Powering Homes: Electricity from the Dam

Besides helping boats, the Racine Lock and Dam also produces electricity. It has a power plant that uses the force of the water. This plant can generate 24 megawatts of electricity. That's enough power for many homes and businesses! The American Electric Power Company operates this power plant.

Key Features of Racine Dam

The dam itself is made up of eight special gates. These are called Tainter gates. They can be raised or lowered to control the water flow. The dam stretches for 1,173 feet across the river. The water level behind the dam is kept at about 560 feet above sea level.