Modernizing the Ohio River Basin: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Advances Lock Systems

BY MICHEL SAURET AND JEREMY CROFT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is undertaking a significant modernization effort across the Ohio River Basin to update aging locks and dams, some of which are nearly a century old. The Ohio River Basin, a critical waterway supporting 179 million tons of commodities annually and providing drinking water to more than 10 million people, faces urgent infrastructure challenges due to outdated technology and equipment.

“Modernization could mean replacing old and aging locks, incorporating new materials, or innovating them with remote lock operations,” said Christopher Phillips, deputy chief of operations for the USACE Great Lakes and Ohio River Division.

USACE’s Pittsburgh District constructed a new lock chamber and control tower at the John P. Murtha Locks and Dam in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, as part of the Lower Monongahela River Project. The lock seen in this photo is the old lock, which has been operating since 1931. The new control tower uses a human-machine interface with touch screens, cameras, intuitive designs, and push-button controls to open gates and valves rather than pulling mechanical levers. It includes cameras and screens to see every inch of the facility from one place. Once the Pittsburgh District upgrades the system at other facilities on the Monongahela River, the tower will be able to control locks miles away at the push of a button.

USACE PHOTO BY MICHEL SAURET, PITTSBURGH DISTRICT

For example, the Pittsburgh District recently completed the John P. Murtha Locks and Dam, featuring a modern control tower equipped for potential future remote operations. “During the entire design process, we incorporated technology for the possibility of remote operations,” explained John Dilla, who leads navigation modernization for the Pittsburgh District. The tower utilizes advanced human-machine interfaces, allowing operators to control the facility from a centralized location, setting a precedent for future upgrades across the region.

advertisement

Does not imply USACE or DOD endorsement

Similar modernization projects are underway in the Nashville District at the Chickamauga and Kentucky locks. The Chickamauga Lock, essential for transporting goods on the Tennessee River, is being replaced to accommodate larger barges and reduce delays. “The industry upstream of Chickamauga Lock sees a lot of benefit for this project, decreasing lockage time by nearly 80%,” said Joe Cotton, Nashville District project manager for the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project.

The Kentucky Lock is also being expanded to double its capacity, significantly reducing vessel wait times. “The Kentucky Lock facilitates movement of goods to over 16 states,” noted Capt. Rachel Nelson, a member of the project management team.

This is an aerial view of the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project, June 18, 2024, on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee. USACE’s Nashville District is constructing the new lock. When completed, it will be 600 feet long and 110 feet wide and will handle nine barges per lockage. It will reduce commercial transit times by 80%.

USACE PHOTO BY NASHVILLE DISTRICT

These upgrades aim to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the entire river system, supporting both commercial and recreational activities. “Even without plugging into remote operations, modernizing our equipment and our controls is very important for us to sustain reliability,” Dilla emphasized. By modernizing these vital infrastructures, USACE ensures continued economic growth and national security, ultimately transforming the Ohio River Basin into a more integrated and resilient navigation system. AE

Visit www.Americas-Engineers.com to sign up for a free print edition of our annual publication and to join our weekly newsletter.