Cannelton Locks, Dam and Hydro Power

(Satellite)

Paul Osterhus, Jul 2018, cropped
[The lower pool looks high, so why aren't the gates up?]

According to USACE, the upper and lower pools are normally 383' and 358', giving a drop of 25'. "The project was approved as a replacement for existing Locks and Dam 43, 44, and 45 on January 27, 1960."

A 15-barge tow showing off the 1200' capacity of the Ohio River locks.

Satellite

Michael Haynes posted
Michael Haynes Cannelton locks & dam. 2 4000’s @ 125 tons, 2 39A’s, 2 71-B’s, a 54-B, a steam derrick boat and 2 Clyde Whirley gantry’s. That’s all it took to build locks and dams
Darrin Liegel Michael Haynes Didn’t know they made a 4000 rated@ 125 ton
John George 125 ton 4000’s were non W’s. I think there were 125 ton vicons. The 125 were 24’ long and 17’ wide. W’s were 24’ long and 21’ wide

Bryan Burton Photography posted
The Tina Bowling in the Cannelton Locks and Dam on the Ohio River. 07/2024

Mark Heslep: The deepest part of the Ohio is a 160 ft. scour hole about a mile below the dam. I'm glad we got past it before the sternwheeler sunk four years ago at mm 740.2. The boat's still on the bottom...

Robert Dawson: nice bit of coal thats being burnt in the USA for cheap electric and helping achieve net zero for the UK who are not allowed to use it, .

Faron Davis: I wonder what the water difference is on each side of the locks in feet.

Mark Heslep: Faron Davis. 24-26 feet give or take a few. The normal navigation pools behind the dams are maintained at 24 feet. [Other dams have a different headwater depth so that the depth is 9' at the tailwater of the next upstream dam.] Without them a free flowing river wouldn't support commercial traffic. The river is dropping in elevation from its beginning; the dams keep the water from 'running downhill', so to speak. Lockmasters are regularly evaluated on their water management and conservation, especially during drought conditions.

Robert Flannery posted, cropped
Dredge Bill Holman Canelton Lock and Dam Ohio River 2021
Ryan Sturma: Not even a photo credit. For shame...
Robert Flannery: Ryan Sturma yes you took the photo
[The dredge is on the left in the lock channel and the pipeline moves the slurry to the discharge in the
of the river.]

 

Michael Gore posted four photos with the comment: "We ate lunch today at the Riverview Restaurant which is on the high hill above Hancock Bend at OR mm. 722.5 just upriver from Hawesville, KY and overlooks Cannelton LD. The TENNESSEE (Amherst Madison, Inc.) with 15 locked down and is seen just clear of the long wall and meeting the JOSEPH PATRICK ECKSTEIN (Marquette Transportation Co.) with 2 heading up to the little chamber. The CAPT. KIRBY DUPUIS (Florida Marine Transporters) with 15 was on the upper longwall waiting for the pit to be turned around. The last photo shows the historical plaque dedicated to Capt. John W. Cannon which is next to the restaurant. I have always said that when you shove out of Cannelton n/b, it's like you're entering a completely different land and geography."

Tom Struve: Passed the Joseph Patrick Ekstein with that same tow upbound on the Lower. What in the world can be in those two barges to make that long trip with only those two barges? Mystery?????????

Michael Gore: Tom Struve Checked the USACE Lock Queue Report and the JPE locked up at McAlpine ending at 0830 ET this morning with 2 barges. Perhaps a speed tow with mystery cargo needed somewhere quickly!

Tony Werner: We sure looked closer together.than what the picture shows, I was at the helm of the M/V Tennessee when the picture was taken. Thank you sir.

Michael Gore: Tony Werner You are welcome! Small world!

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lll

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The cutter head of the Bill Holman.

USACE via trendsmap

Street View, Oct 2008
It appears the hydropower plant has yet to be built. I added Global Earth views below.

Street View

Street View

Ryan Burleson posted three photos with the comment: "Found these working at the Cannelton locks and dam. I'm fixing the RT in the bottom of the lock."

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Mark Goodrich 39w.Ben StalveyGroup Admin Sure looks nice yet

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Jack Hines Long walk for tools, isn't it!
Ryan Burleson Yes sir. About 5 stories of stairs and the length of a lock twice. That's just one way. I did a lot work with 1 pair of pliers. Lol
Jack Hines Ryan Burleson I'll bet, I always carried a pair of channel lock in my back pocket.

When I looked at the satellite image, I noticed this dam has already had a 3-bulb, 88-MW hydro power plant added on the side. This reminded me to check the status of the hydro power plant being built next to the Smithland Dam. The 2017 satellite image has not changed from the one copied in the posting. The Bing image is old enough to show the Cannelton plant still being constructed.

Bing Satellite

Now that I've learned how to use Global Earth as a time machine, I can include more views of the construction. It is also interesting to see the different river flows and tow activity.

Oct 2008

Aug 2010
I'm surprised how much debris has been allowed to build up against the gates. I assume it is too risky to take construction equipment on a barge that close to the dam during a high river flow. In addition to the travelling gantry on top the dam, it appears they need a travelling crane that would allow them to lift debris up and over the dam.  Submersible tainter gates are normally used to allow ice to flow through the dam. But they should also be able to allow debris to flow through the dam since these are 100' gates. 

Oct 2013

Jun 2016