Water levels at hannibal locks and dams

Before modern locks and dam with their lock chambers and lock gates were built, another construction fulfilled the purpose of regulating the river in a way that boats were able to navigate the rivers almost throughout the year, independently of the natural water level. Wicked Dams consisted of movable planks that were only raised when needed.

Table of Contents Show

• Falls of the Ohio River Level Chart
• What's the river stage in Hannibal Missouri?
• What is the river stage at Quincy Illinois?
• What is the water level at Thatcher Lock and Dam?
• What is the Mississippi River level?

At high water levels when the dam was not needed, boats ran over the lowered dam. The dam was raised and lowered by steam-powered work boats as on exhibit at the Hannibal Locks and Dam on the Ohio River (see also MANEUVERBOAT 35).

There is an old wicket dam still operating on the Illinois River at LaGrange Lock & Dam as well as at the Creve Coeur Lock & Dam between Peoria and Pekin.

In 2010 Olmsted Locks and Dam will replace Locks and Dams 52 and 53, the last wooden wicket dams on the Ohio River, which were built in 1928-29. But Olmsted will again have a wicket dam, but with steel wickets, i.e. a 1,400-foot navigable pass section of steel wickets.

There is a good explanation on a web page featuring wicked locks and dams.

Below are two pictures of the locks and dam no. 52 on the Ohio River with the old wooden wickets raised to maintain pool level upriver the dam. Note the small Army Corps of Engineers work boat tied to the outer side of the lock wall. Pictures below are from 2005.

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Hannibal Locks and Dam is one of six major river facilities on the upper Ohio River. An observation platform and visitors facility are at the lock site. The visitors center includes a unique wicket dam and maneuver boat depicting the history of navigation on the Ohio River. The area adjacent to the visitor area includes a public day-use area with picnic tables, grills, a shelter, parking areas, and restroom facilities.

Hannibal Locks and Dam lies on the right descending bank in Monroe County, Ohio. The locks are direct across from the town of New Martinsville, West Virginia. A private hydropower facility is located on the abutment side of the dam in New Martinsville. The project can be reached either by following OH-7 or by following WV-2 on the West Virginia side, across the bridge in New Martinsville.

Construction of the Hannibal lock chambers began in 1967 and was completed in 1972 when the locks were opened to river traffic. Work on the high-lift gated dam began in 1970 and was completed in 1975. The installation replaced three older wicket-type projects, Locks and Dams 12, 13, and 14.

The Hannibal project has a gated dam, one of the two major types in service in the Pittsburgh District. Gated dams are 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.
From Hannibal Dam

There is a hotspot, Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, on the West Virginia side of the river. Also, restrooms at nearby businesses on the West Virginia side of the river.

What's the river stage in Hannibal Missouri?

What is the river stage at Quincy Illinois?

What is the water level at Thatcher Lock and Dam?

What is the Mississippi River level?