McAlpine Locks and Dam - Louisville, KY
N 38° 16.547 W 085° 47.294
16S E 605991 N 4237109
The McAlpine Locks and Dam refers to the series of locks and the hydroelectric dam in Louisville, Kentucky at the Falls of the Ohio. This was the first major engineering project on the Ohio River.
Waymark Code: WM2T5F
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 12/17/2007
Views: 56
The first official name of the system of canal locks was the Louisville and Portland Canal, which was completed in 1830 to allow shipping traffic to navigate through the Falls of the Ohio. From 1925 to 1927, a dam for generating hydroelectric power was added, and the system of canals was expanded, first by a private company and then by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The hydroelectric plant at the time was the seventh largest hydroelectric plant in the United States.
The system was renamed the McAlpine Locks and Dam in 1960 in honor of William McAlpine, who was the only civilian to have ever served as district engineer for the Corps of Louisville.
Waterway where the dam is located: Ohio River
Main use of the Water Dam: Improve Navigation
Material used in the structure: masonry
Height of Dam: 420 feet
Date built: 01/01/1925
Fishing Allowed: yes
Motor Sports Allowed: yes
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of the Dam and a description of your visit.