PITTSBURGH -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District opened a 100-foot-wide navigation channel for commercial vessels through the center of the dam at Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 near Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, Thursday, Sept. 5.
The first commercial navigation vessel passed through the channel this morning.
The channel has a 56-foot width restriction and a 9-foot draft restriction. Commercial traffic can still use the lock chamber with the 7-foot draft restriction.
Recreational vessels are required to use the lock at Elizabeth to avoid interfering with ongoing construction and commercial navigation. Commercial and recreational vessels should follow the U.S. Coast Guard’s specified navigation routes, notify lock personnel of incoming traffic, and adhere to proper lock-through procedures.
Signage upstream and downstream of the lock will guide vessels to the appropriate entrance and exit points, facilitating safe and efficient passage.
“Opening the navigation channel ahead of schedule was a significant achievement,” said Col. Nicholas Melin, commander of the Pittsburgh District. "To restore normal navigation along this section of the Monongahela River required an extraordinary effort between key navigation stakeholders, the construction contractor, and the Corps of Engineers. We’re working with our contractors to complete the full channel opening by December 2024."
Once the district has completely removed the dam, the river level between the Braddock and John P. Murtha locks and dams will adjust to their new authorized elevation of 723.1 (NAVD 88), approximately one-half to one foot lower than the river level on Sept. 5. Waterfront facilities or structures within reach of the river needing permitting information should contact the district’s regulatory office at 412-395-7155 or regulatory.permits@usace.army.mil, or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at 412-442-4000 for guidance on adapting to the changing river levels.
Recreational boaters can review lock-through procedures at https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation-Locks/.
District Overview:
Pittsburgh District’s 26,000 square miles include portions of western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, western Maryland, and southwestern New York. It includes more than 328 miles of navigable waterways, 22 navigation locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose flood-control reservoirs, 42 local flood-protection projects, and other projects to protect and enhance the nation’s water resources infrastructure and environment.