11 Aug 2026

A Tale of Two Cranes: Pittsburgh District Rehabilitates 1942 Flood-Risk Machinery

In 1942, the United States was redirecting its steel, machinery, labor, and federal resources toward World War II. Some plans were put on hold, such as extending the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but constructing Loyalhanna Dam remained a priority. The project was already authorized and underway before the United States entered the war. As Pittsburgh factories downstream worked around the clock producing steel and other materiel, the dam went into operation as part of the region’s growing flood-mitigation system.

10 Jun 2026

Prime Power Soldiers maintain inland waterways infrastructure America relies on

Locks and dams are critical components of the nation’s inland waterway system, but it is the electrical infrastructure behind them that keeps operations running safely and efficiently around the clock. Without reliable electrical systems, the millions of tons of commodities that move along the Ohio River system each year could face significant disruptions, jeopardizing America’s economy and critical supply chains.

26 May 2026

Old locks, new parts: Medium Capacity Fleet performs repairs at C.W. Bill Young Lock and Dam

The phrase “if you take care of things, they last” is true for a lot of things: antique cars, home appliances and even relationships. It’s also true for inland navigation infrastructure built before World War II.

17 Apr 2025

Heavyweight precision: Medium capacity fleet tackles 235,000-pound miter gates repairs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Medium Capacity Fleet removed the miter gates from the main chamber to perform repairs at New Cumberland Locks and Dam on the Ohio River in Stratton, Ohio, April 15, 2025.

7 Apr 2025

Lockport Lock Reopens After Temporary Repairs: Permanent Fix Scheduled for Fall

Lockport Lock reopened Friday, April 4th, after undergoing a temporary closure for construction and repairs. The lock had been closed since January 28th for maintenance repairs and upper gate lift replacement. It was expected to reopen at the end of March, but severe cracking was found on the lower miter gates. Temporary repairs were made while parts are being manufactured for the permanent replacement.

31 Mar 2025

Headwaters Highlights: A tiny team maintains mighty Mahoning Dam daily

Tucked into a sleepy creek valley of Western Pennsylvania, the Mahoning Creek Dam has stood for 84 years, holding back waters to protect communities from flooding.

6 Mar 2025

Shenango’s workforce never stops to upgrade campsites, improve federal lands ahead of recreational season

While the winter chill blankets the Shenango River Lake, park rangers and maintenance crews never stop working to improve visitors’ experiences ahead of the recreational season.

17 Oct 2024

Divers and remote technology assist with maintenance at Wilson Lock

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is taking steps to address critical maintenance concerns at Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River, where divers and remotely-operated technology are working together to inspect the main chamber gates. On Oct. 9, 2024, a dive support team, assisted by specialists from the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center, conducted a detailed inspection following the discovery of cracks on both the land and river side gates, which prompted the closure of the main chamber.

27 Sep 2024

From wear-and-tear to substantial repair: Pittsburgh District extends life of Hannibal Locks and Dam

Against the backdrop of the Ohio River’s steady flow and the hum of heavy machinery, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District continues extensive work rehabilitating the primary lock chamber at Hannibal Locks and Dam in Hannibal, Ohio.

30 Jul 2024

Maintenance professionals drain Old Hickory Lock for inspection, repairs

OLD HICKORY, Tenn. (July 30, 2024) – Maintenance professionals with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District recently closed Old Hickory Lock to navigation and drained it to check on the condition of components that operate under the surface of the water.