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Lower Monongahela River Project

Construction

Pittsburgh District

Published Jan. 10, 2024

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Recapitalizing the lower Monongahela River.

Began

1992

Project Area

Locks and dams 2 (Braddock), 3 (Elizabeth), and 4 (Charleroi) on the Monongahela River in southwestern Pennsylvania

Benefits

$200 million annually

About the Project

Construction for the Lower Monongahela River Project was authorized in 1992 to include work at three navigation facilities on the Monongahela River closest to Pittsburgh. The three facilities include Locks and Dam 2, 3 and 4 near Braddock, Elizabeth and Charleroi, Pennsylvania, respectively. They are the three oldest currently operating-navigation facilities on the Monongahela River. They create deep navigation pools for the primary purpose of commercial navigation, but the pools are also popular with recreational boaters and create locations for industrial and municipal water intakes. These locks experience the highest volume of commercial traffic on the entire Monongahela River navigation system.

In 2004, the Pittsburgh District converted the facility near Braddock from a fixed-crest dam, which is submerged underwater, into a gated dam. The new dam raised the original upstream pool level by three feet. The fixed crest in Braddock was originally built in 1902. It was more than 100 years old when the gated dam replaced it.

By late summer 2024, the Pittsburgh District will complete construction and open a new navigation lock near Charleroi measuring 84 feet wide by 720 feet long, which can fit a nine-barge tow, which speeds up navigation through the lock. The facility will be renamed the John P. Murtha Locks and Dam in late summer of 2024.

The Pittsburgh District will begin to demolish the dam near Elizabeth in July 2024. The district will begin removing the lock walls in 2025, with the work expected to continue through 2027.

Notices and Updates

Lock and Dam 3 Demolition

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District operates 23 navigable locks and dams on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers year-round regardless of weather, including in foggy conditions that restrict visibility.

Pittsburgh Foggy Landscape

The Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 remains in operation year-round, including during foggy conditions in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, Jan. 25, 2024. The Elizabeth Dam is scheduled for removal in the summer of 2024. After the dam is removed completely, the Monongahela River will have one continuous navigation pool from Charleroi to Braddock, Pennsylvania. Between. The pool elevation will rise approximately two feet from Elizabeth to Braddock. The pool elevation will drop by approximately 3.2 feet from Elizabeth to Charleroi. The resulting river elevation between Charleroi and Braddock will level out to one continuous surface height of 723.7 feet. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District operates 23 navigable locks and dams on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers year-round regardless of weather, including in foggy conditions that restrict visibility. Many towboat crews continue working on the rivers even in the fog, sometimes staging their barges along various parts along Pittsburgh’s waterways as they wait for the mist to lift. Regardless of weather, the Pittsburgh District’s locks and dams remain open for traffic, ready whenever navigation needs to pass commodities through their chambers. The district is responsible for keeping navigation flowing through Pittsburgh, known as the Headwaters District, to and from the rest of the nation. Transporting commodities on the waterways is four times less expensive than by trucks and 33 percent cheaper than by rail. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)

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Photo By: Michel Sauret

VIRIN: 240125-A-TI382-1009

NOTICE NUMBER: 206875-2

During the week of July 10, 2024, the US Army Corps of Engineers’ contractor will begin the controlled demolition and subsequent removal of the dam at Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 (LD3). This date is subject to change. The controlled demolition will involve the use of explosives, which will restrict navigation activities in the vicinity of L&D 3. Preparatory work occurring before July 10, 2024, does not impact the usage of the lock.

Preparatory work will include but not be limited to:

Aids to navigation - these are currently being installed and are intended to notify river users of the restricted areas around the dam and the status of the lock (opened or closed).
The Braddock pool elevation will be raised to elevation 724.7 to facilitate the dam demolition and removal.
Drilling in the dam to prepare for the actual explosive charges.

Following the initial demolition and breeching of the dam at Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3, L&D 3 will be closed to navigation for an estimated 3 to 12 days, depending on river conditions.

Following the 3-12 day L&D 3 closure:

To reduce the risk of injury, death, and/or significant property damage, all river traffic will be required to use the lock until the dam is completely removed and the Corps of Engineers removes the restricted areas from the river. That is expected to occur in December 2024. It is expected that there will be weekly, short-term (less than 3 hours) navigation closures of L&D 3 while additional sections of the dam undergo controlled demolition.

Additional navigation notices will be distributed if the date of this scheduled demolition changes.

Corps installs navigation safety signs for upcoming demolition of 107-year-old dam on Monongahela River

The Pittsburgh District is adding navigation safety signs and buoys upstream and downstream of Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 to warn boaters and industry of hazardous conditions during upcoming demolition of a 107-year-old dam.

The signs will be in place on the river 1,500 feet upstream and downstream of the fixed-crest dam by June 21. The first demolition to breach the dam is scheduled for July 10.

The demolition is part of Lower Monongahela River Project, which includes work at three navigation facilities near Braddock, Elizabeth, and Charleroi, Pennsylvania.

Once complete, the project is expected to provide a benefit of $200 million annually to the economy through cost time savings in transporting commodities through the region using inland navigation and reduced maintenance investments.

The contractor plans to begin the dam’s demolition and removal July 10. The work will continue through early December. The contractor will use controlled explosives to fracture the concrete dam and an excavator mounted on a barge to remove the materials from the river. All boats must use the landside lock chamber throughout the demolition process.

During the week of July 8, boaters and vessel operators should anticipate a lock closure that will last a minimum of three days, and it could last as long as 12 days following the initial dam breach.

The new signs will direct navigation to our locks to maintain everyone’s safety.

Boats must continue to use the lock throughout the dam demolition process because there will still be a difference between the upper and lower pool elevations due to some restricted waterflow. There will also be a floating plant operating around the dam’s breach site with equipment to remove the rest of the dam.

In the interest of safety for all parties, it is best to maintain distance between the construction crews and normal navigation traffic to avoid accidents. Until the entire dam is removed, and until the Corps verifies that navigation channel is safe through that area, all traffic will be directed to go through the lock.

Key Dates and Notices

The Pittsburgh District installed five segments of stone fish reefs in the Monongahela River between miles 21.3 and 33.5. The reefs are not visible from above the water’s surface. All the reefs are properly marked on the navigation charts. It is the responsibility of every vessel operator to refer to the most up-to-date navigation charts before heading out. For a map identifying the location of the fish reefs, click here.

The Pittsburgh District will begin demolishing the dam at Elizabeth beginning the week of July 8, 2024. Our primary concern is to maintain safe navigation throughout the demolition phase. We anticipate minor delays to navigation at the early stages of demolition.

July 10, 2024

Demolition of the dam at Locks and Dam 3 begins.

Demolition of the dam at Locks and Dam 3 begins. After the initial breach, the locks will close to navigation for three to 12 days. Afterward, there will be short weekly closures while the contractors perform additional controlled demolitions.

Weekly demolitions will be announced 24 hours in advance via email, the Mon Valley Independent Newspaper, and 2 hours in advance on radio stations 90.5 WESA and 100.1 KDKA. Sign up for notifications by emailing elizabethld3@shikunusa.com.

Public Information Session Recordings

May 16, 2024

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District hosted a public information session to provide an update on the Lower Monongahela River Project as it nears the final phase. As part of the project’s next phase, the Pittsburgh District plans to demolish the dam near Elizabeth and open a newly constructed navigation lock near Charleroi in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the demolition for Locks and Dam 3 near Elizabeth Dam begin?

The Pittsburgh District contractor will begin the controlled demolition and subsequent removal of the dam at Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 near Elizabeth, PA, July 10, 2024.

How will the river elevations change on the Monongahela River after the Lock and Dam 3 dam near Elizabeth is removed?

Roughly, between the communities of Elizabeth and Braddock, the project pool elevation will rise approximately two feet in elevation. Between the communities of Elizabeth and Charleroi, the project pool elevation will drop by approximately 3.2 feet. The gated dam near Braddock will control the water elevation from Braddock to Charleroi, resulting in a 30-mile river pool.

Are we going to get flooded downstream as a result of this construction project?

No. The Lower Monongahela River Project, including removing the dam in Elizabeth, does not negatively impact flooding.

If I own a boat dock on the Monongahela or Youghiogheny River, how will this affect my dock?

If you are currently between the Braddock dam and Lock and Dam 3 or up the Youghiogheny to about Bachman Island, you will see about a two-foot increase in the pool elevation from what you typically see today. If you are between Lock and Dam 3 near Elizabeth and Lock and Dam 4 near Charleroi, you will see about a 3.2-foot decrease. For dock and permit questions contact the Regulatory Office via email: regulatory.permits@usace.army.mil

How do I contact the regulatory office for the Pittsburgh District?

The best, most reliable method to contact the Pittsburgh District Regulatory Office for dock and permit questions or concerns is via email: regulatory.permits@usace.army.mil

Once the dam near Elizabeth is removed, why do we have to continue to lock through the chamber? When will we be able to bypass the locks near Elizabeth entirely?

We are continuing to lock navigation through the lock out of an abundance of caution to safeguard the public, our construction contractors and our staff. All river traffic will be required and directed to use the locks until the entire dam is removed and the locks are closed. It is anticipated that the dam will be completely removed before the end of calendar year 2024.

What is the depth of the fish reefs? I’m afraid they may damage my boat.

Of the total 73 reefs, 52 will have a 3-foot draft or more, which is the water depth over the reef. The remaining 21 reefs will have between a one and 3-foot draft. All reefs are constructed within the Slow No-Wake zone, which extends 100 feet from each shoreline, per Pennsylvania law. The fish reefs extend 50 feet from the from the shoreline. Watercraft operators are responsible for the safety of themselves, their passengers, and their personal property and must follow local waterways and boating laws. Boaters can find a map of the reef on the Pittsburgh District website and on updated Monongahela River Navigation Charts.

Will USACE pay for damages caused to my boat or motor if I run into one of the fish reefs?

No. It is the boater’s responsibility to avoid the reefs and to follow Pennsylvania boating laws on the river, which designates 100 feet from each shoreline as a Slow No-Wake zone.

Will there be a river closure during the original breaching?

During the week of July 8, vessel operators should anticipate a lock closure that will last a minimum of three days, but it may last as long as 12 days following the initial dam breach.

Once the dam is removed, will the new river conditions cause any danger to the public?

The Pittsburgh District does not anticipate dangerous river conditions associated with removing the dam at Locks and Dam 3. As always we encourage all boaters to Know the waterways before heading out, Take a boat safety class, and always Wear a lifejacket when operating a boat.

How far up the Youghiogheny River will the pool rise be evident after the Elizabeth Dam is removed?

Based on where the pool elevation has been for the past 20 years, we expect to see roughly a two-foot water surface elevation increase up to about river mile 9-10, located downstream of Buena Vista near Buchman Island. Beyond that point, the pool increase is negligible. Similar to the Monongahela River, we do not anticipate any increased flooding on the Youghiogheny River associated with the Lower Mon Project.

If there is an effect to my dock, will USACE pay to have it adjusted?

No. In accordance with Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, if the government adjusts the water level within navigation servitude, it is the responsibility of the facility owner to adjust their facility at their cost. The only exception to this law is a discretionary authority granted for facilities owned and operated by government agencies that have a current and continuing need. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has no authority to adjust privately owned facilities.

Do I need a permit if I simply relocate or change an existing structure or fill?

Yes. Send an inquiry with you Army Corps’ permit number (i.e. LRP-YEAR-XXXX) to regulatory.permits@usace.army.mil

Will recreational boaters still be able to navigate through the area near Elizabeth in the months after the initial dam breach?

Yes. The full demolition will last from July until December. Although there may be some additional short delays due to the demolition process, the Pittsburgh District anticipates normal locking procedures and priorities on the Monongahela River. We strongly encourage all recreational boaters in the area to pay extra attention to their surroundings.

What is the benefit of the fish reefs constructed in the Monongahela River to aquatic life?

The Pittsburgh District has designed the fish reefs to mitigate the loss of the tailwater (shallow water) habitat once the dam near Elizabeth is removed. The fish reefs will provide a diverse habitat for fish and other aquatic species. They provide a place for fish to rest, spawn and feed.

Can boaters fish around the new reefs?

The Pittsburgh District will not restrict boaters from fishing near the stone fish reefs. The fish reefs will be marked by warning buoys. The Pittsburgh District would like to caution all boaters to follow Pennsylvania laws of following the Slow No-Wake zone within 100 feet of shorelines and abide by all laws established by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

Will USACE be responsible for any damages to private property arising from the pool changes?

No. Private property damage associated with the pool changes is not expected. The pool changes are within the navigational servitude of the United States. Any facility within navigation servitude is required to have a permit in accordance with Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, which clearly defines the requirements of facilities or lands within the aforementioned navigational servitude.