Montgomery Lock and Dam

USA / Pennsylvania / Shippingport /
 dam, lock (water navigation)

Sadly, the Lock has been the site of two maritime tragedies in recent years.

In January 2005, 4 members of the crew of the Elizabeth M., a tugboat pushing barges down the Ohio River drowned when their tug lost control of its load and was swept over the gates of the lock.

Again in September, 2006, a pleasure boat was speeding towards the lock and crashed into one of the metal lift gates killing the driver and a passenger of the boat.

Despite the tragedies, the lock system along the Ohio River is truly a marvel of man's ingenuity and ability to tame a once dangerous river prone to flooding and ruin and make it a productive, navigable route into the heartland of our country.

www.lrp.usace.army.mil/nav/mont.htm
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   40°38'59"N   80°23'4"W
This article was last modified 14 years ago