In the News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, will begin a long-term rehabilitation project on Lock and Dam 24 in Clarksville, Mo. Work is planned to begin on or around April 1.

The lock and dam was constructed in the 1930's and became fully operational in the '40s. It spans 1,340 feet across the Mississippi River and was the first dam on the river channel to be constructed without roller gates. Instead, the structure contains 15 submersible, elliptical tainter gates that were the apex of gate design and the largest constructed at that time.

Today, Lock and Dam 24 is more than 80-years-old, but still serves as a crucial piece of infrastructure that allows the river channel to be utilized by commercial traffic, and in turn national and global trade economy, as well as recreational activities.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the 29 locks and dams along the upper Mississippi River to maintaining the Congressionally-authorized nine-foot navigation channel, which ensures the river remains open even when the water is low and historically would not support the large vessels that moves along the river today.

Work on Lock and Dam 24 will be completed through a contract awarded to OCCI, Inc and will include work on both the tainter gates and service bridge. The work includes four main components: new tainter gate chains and associated machinery, tainter gate painting and repair, service bridge painting and repair, and service bridge column repairs. This project is expected to take five years to complete, during which the dam will remain fully functional and the lock will remain open to boat traffic.

However, while construction takes place, OCCI, Inc will have multiple mobile construction offices and a laydown yard located inside a fenced area adjacent to the Clarksville Riverfront Park on a section owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This area will also contain a work flat access dock for contractor use only. The public is asked to stay clear of this area during construction operations.