1965 Meldahl Locks, Dam and 2016 105mw Hydropower on Ohio River

(Satellite)

You can tell this area is a wilderness because every source about the dam gives a different town as the nearby town. And none of them ring a bell.

The nominal lift of the standard 1,200' and 600' locks is 30'. It has submergible and non-submergible ogee sill units for its 12 100' Tainter gates. The damming height is 35' above sills, and the clearance above maximum high water when fully raised is approximately 5'. [USACE]

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"The Meldahl Hydroelectric Facility is projected to generate approximately 550 million kilo-watt hours (kWh) of clean, renewable energy annually."

Mike Spitzmiller posted three photos with the comment: "Snug as a bug in the Locks, Meldalhl Dam."

Madison Berry: It looks like the Queen of the Mississippi Riverboat she is not a real steamboat and the American cruise lines is the company.

Craig Dodson: Not an attractive boat.

Barb Anderson: Great memory of locking through Markland Dam on the Delta Queen on our way to Tall Stacks in the early 90s. Had great fun throwing Mardi Gras beads to the folks on the Dams observation deck.

Madison Berry: Barb Anderson don’t like the ACL for what thay did too the Delta Queen the Delta Queen can’t return for what thay did and it’s sad we can’t even have tall stacks cause of the ACL.

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Mike Spitzmiller posted, cropped
Jim Noble: I worked there for 30 years 20 as Lockmaster.
I haven’t a clue why he would be crossway this close to the lock chambers with two down-bound tows ready to depart. Should of been an interesting radio conversation.
John Allred: There is a whiplash at the lower approach in high water that will turn you around if not aware of it!
[I wonder if the tow in the south lock is upbound and the foreground tow got caught by a current as it approached the lock's wall.]

Two of three photos posted by Mike Spitzmiller with the comment: "Heading into Meldahl along the Ohio."

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One of three photos posted by Mike Spitzmiller

One of four photos posted by Mike Spitzmiller
[The downstream gates are opening for the towboat. I wonder why they are using the big lock for it. They are probably spilling water at the dam so using more water for the locking is not an issue.]

Mike Spitzmiller posted

One of three photos posted by Mike Spitzmiller
[At first I didn't notice it, there is a tow at the lock as well as the one in the foreground.]

Mike Spitzmiller posted three photos with the comment:

The American Duchess pilot seemed challenged tonight as he exited the lock at Meldahl...... The towboat and attached barges were way out of the way prior to the Duchess entering the lock and it appeared the towboat then came on up and parked where it is here and the Duchess seemed standing still in the bend east of the lock..... Then...... the Duchess came forward and into the lock and had some what appeared to be skillful maneuvering to get out of the lock without hitting the towboat and or barge....  Not being a pilot or gate keeper, seemed like there was some confusion or soo it appeared anyway.... I am curious to hear others thoughts ?

[I'm learning that "set" means current. Jim Stasko also used that term in a comment below.]

Nick Martin: What you’re not seeing is the set he was probably encountering. As the boat exits the lock… one would normally make his way away from the bank. Normal departure for any lock experiencing current.

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Comments on Mike's post

Comments on Mike's post

Feb 2024:

We Work the Waterways posted

As Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks', on the Ohio River, the Main Locking Chamber is shut down for repairs, industry tows have to be double locked through the small, 600 foot auxillary chamber. 

This causes a potential for a tremendous amount of lock delay, slowing up the transit of the customers cargos and commodities. 

The Lockmaster asks for volunteers that are in the area patiently waiting to get through the Lock, to assist pulling tows through the lock. This procedure is called, "Pulling Cuts".  

On this evening, seen here, is Captain RL Cadd of Amherst Madison's M/V ALAN P HALL, placing 15 loaded Ingram Barge Company barges into the small chamber. On the top side of the lock chamber Ingrams' William P. Morelli awaits to pull the first cut out of the chamber in efforts to get Ingrams tow moving upriver and delivered safely to its' customers. 

Teamwork at its' finest! 

This sort of teamwork is executed every single day to ensure the river transportation industry moves forward safely daily!

Dalton Call commented on the above post

We appreciate the patience and hard work having to double lock while we repair the concrete miter gate sill in the 1200’ chamber. The emergency main chamber pump out is being completed safely and efficiently as possible depending on Mother Nature.

I personally appreciate the hard work and dedication to everyone involved up and down the river.