Olmsted Locks and Dam News - The Waterways Journal

2 Boats Salvaged At Olmsted

July 18, 2025

Two boats that were swept through a tainter gate at Olmsted Locks and Dam (Ohio River Mile 964.4) on July 1 have been successfully salvaged. With the support of the… Read More

‘Superficial’ Damage Reported At Olmsted

July 11, 2025

An initial inspection at Olmsted Locks and Dam found only cosmetic, superficial damage to tainter gate 1 after two Corps of Engineers vessels were swept through it July 1. Read More

2 Boats Swept Through Olmsted Tainter Gate

July 3, 2025

The Ohio River closed briefly July 1 after two Louisville Engineer District boats were swept through the tainter gate at Olmsted Locks and Dam (Ohio River Mile 964.4) after one… Read More

Demolition Complete At Ohio Locks And Dam 53 From left, former diver supervisor Randy Robertson and dive tenders Phillip Noel and Jake Winburn work with diver Kenny Robertson to remove a worn-out white oak wicket from the dam at Lock and Dam 53 on the Ohio River, June 26, 2012. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Engineer District)

From left, former diver supervisor Randy Robertson and dive tenders Phillip Noel and Jake Winburn work with diver Kenny Robertson to remove a worn-out white oak wicket from the dam at Lock and Dam 53 on the Ohio River, June 26, 2012. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Engineer District)

Demolition Complete At Ohio Locks And Dam 53

March 1, 2024

The Louisville Engineer District has announced the official closure of the Ohio River Locks and Dam 53 project. “Locks and Dams 52 and 53 were the last remaining… Read More

New Book Details Last Ohio River Wicket Dams’ History “Last of the Old Wicket Dams: A History of Ohio River Locks and Dams 52 and 53, 1928-2018” details the history of the wicket dams along the lower Ohio River that were replaced when Olmsted Locks and Dam came online in 2018. (Photo courtesy of the Louisville Engineer District)

“Last of the Old Wicket Dams: A History of Ohio River Locks and Dams 52 and 53, 1928-2018” details the history of the wicket dams along the lower Ohio River that were replaced when Olmsted Locks and Dam came online in 2018. (Photo courtesy of the Louisville Engineer District)

New Book Details Last Ohio River Wicket Dams’ History

July 7, 2023

“Last of the Old Wicket Dams: A History of Ohio River Locks and Dams 52 and 53, 1928-2018” details the history of the wicket dams along the lower Ohio… Read More

German Transportation Delegation Explores America’s River System Dr. Norbert Salomon, head of the Waterways and Shipping Department of the German Ministry of Transport, introduces himself and the rest of the four-person delegation. (Photo by Shelley Byrne)

Dr. Norbert Salomon, head of the Waterways and Shipping Department of the German Ministry of Transport, introduces himself and the rest of the four-person delegation. (Photo by Shelley Byrne)

German Transportation Delegation Explores America’s River System

October 21, 2022

Gathered around a map of the inland waterways of the United States, a four-person delegation from the German Ministry of Transport only had two words: “unbelievable” and “wow.”… Read More

Demolition At Ohio River L&Ds 52, 53 To Wrap Up In 2022 A blast from underwater demolition takes places November 19, 2021, at the former Ohio River Lock and Dam 53. Landside demolition at the former locks and dams 52 in Brookport, Ill., and 53 in Olmsted, Ill., was completed in 2021. The marine demolition at both projects is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Engineer District)

A blast from underwater demolition takes places November 19, 2021, at the former Ohio River Lock and Dam 53. Landside demolition at the former locks and dams 52 in Brookport, Ill., and 53 in Olmsted, Ill., was completed in 2021. The marine demolition at both projects is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Engineer District)

Demolition At Ohio River L&Ds 52, 53 To Wrap Up In 2022

April 1, 2022

Demolition at the former Ohio River locks and dams 52 and 53 in southern Illinois is expected to be complete by the end of the year. While landside… Read More

Chapman Retires After Productive Operations Career The $3 billion Olmsted Locks and Dam became fully operational in August 2018. The Louisville district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently won a top 10 national award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the project.

The $3 billion Olmsted Locks and Dam became fully operational in August 2018. The Louisville district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently won a top 10 national award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the project.

Chapman Retires After Productive Operations Career

January 7, 2022

Bill Chapman could have retired years ago, but he wasn’t done making a difference. Bill Chapman Chapman, 62, of Crestwood, Ky., said before he left his job as… Read More

Crews Replace First Olmsted Wickets Right: A three-sided dive reflector box blocks the river flow and lowers the water level inside the box, allowing divers to work on two wickets at a time. (Photo by by Abby Korfhage/Louisville Engineer District)

Right: A three-sided dive reflector box blocks the river flow and lowers the water level inside the box, allowing divers to work on two wickets at a time. (Photo by by Abby Korfhage/Louisville Engineer District)

Crews Replace First Olmsted Wickets

November 12, 2021

Louisville Engineer District employees replaced the first five wickets at the Olmsted Locks and Dam this year amid a season that saw them raising the wicket dam a record… Read More

Olmsted Project Demolition Phase Continues Miter gates are removed from the former Locks and Dam 53 in December 2019. (Photo courtesy Louisville Engineer District)

Miter gates are removed from the former Locks and Dam 53 in December 2019. (Photo courtesy Louisville Engineer District)

Olmsted Project Demolition Phase Continues

July 2, 2021

Blasting at the former Dam 52 on the Ohio River near Brookport, Ill., is complete, with demolition at the former Dam 53 to begin within the next couple… Read More