Friday the Thirteenth Struck New Cumberland Locks and Dam and the Operators Fixed It Anyway

Willie Maynard, the lockmaster at New Cumberland Locks and Dam, observes as a tow enters the facility’s primary lock chamber on the Ohio River in Stratton, Ohio, Feb. 19, 2026. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District operates New Cumberland Locks and Dam to provide reliable, year-round inland navigation throughout the region’s waterways. Each year, over 180 million tons of bulk commodities travel the Ohio River through its system of navigation locks. These commodities include coal, petroleum products, chemicals, aggregates (like sand and gravel), grain, and other industrial materials. The river is a vital transportation route in the U.S. inland waterway system, supporting industries ranging from agriculture to energy. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Andrew Byrne)