![Aerial image of Morgantown Lock and Dam](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090109015951im_/http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/nav/images/morgan_aerial.jpg)
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Morgantown Lock and Dam
26 Morgantown Lock Road
Morgantown, WV 26501-2329
304-292-1885
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Morgantown Lock and Dam is one of nine navigation structures
which provide for year-round navigation on the Monongahela River
between Pittsburgh, PA and Fairmont, West Virginia.
Location
Morgantown Lock and Dam is located at river mile 102.0 at the city
of Morgantown, WV The lock chamber and operations building are situated
along the left bank of the river. Road access to the project is
from a state road leading south from the U.S. Route 19 bridge crossing
the river at Morgantown.
History
Construction of Morgantown Lock and Dam began in 1948 and was completed
in 1950. The structure brought about the removal of the original
stone and timber Locks 10 and 11 which had been built by the government
in the period 1897 and 1903.
Project
Information
Morgantown Lock and Dam consists of a lock chamber and a gated dam.
This type of dam is constructed to permit increased control over
the water level in the navigation pool upriver of the dam. Machinery
mounted on tall concrete piers moves large chains which lift gates
that are hinged into the body of the piers. As the gates are raised
or lowered to control the amount of water flowing under them, the
upstream pool is maintained at a relatively constant level for an
authorized depth of at least 9 feet throughout its length. The dam,
however, cannot be operated to control flood flows. An incidental
benefit derived from the pool formed by the dam is the availability
of a source of municipal and industrial water.
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