Huntington, W. Va. -- HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Locking operations have been temporarily suspended at Willow Island Locks and Dam on the Ohio River in Reno, Ohio (Ohio River Mile 161.7) due to ice build-up, which is preventing miter gates on the main chamber from operating properly.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District suspended locking operations at the Willow Island facility Jan. 28. Both lock chambers are closed to navigation traffic until the ice accumulation is fully removed, and normal miter gate operations can safely resume.
Corps employees at Willow Island are currently working to flush ice from the chamber as well as limit new ice formation through use of steam. Currently, tows approaching the dam have been limited to 800 feet in length in order to mitigate additional ice accumulation.
USACE remains in close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and towing industry. Vessels in the area should contact the Willow Island Locks and Dam to be placed into the locking queue.
For the latest updates visit: www.facebook.com/USACELRH or contact the Public Affairs Office at 304-399-5353.
Release no. 26-004