This is an aerial view of Wheeler Lock in June of 1961 shortly after the needle dam had been placed in the upstream lock gate opening. Much of the wall nearest shore slid about 30 feet, and parts of it collapsed into the lock. The photo was included in a TVA report titled “Wheeler Lock Failure” written in November 1961. For the purposes of loading this photo online, the date of June 23, 1961, was chosen, but the exact date could not be determined. The photo shows a coffer dam inside the lock downstream approach, which would have taken some time to construct to begin repairs. (TVA photo by Orvel Dean)