Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Zip Code 62002

Melvin Price Locks and Dam

· See Info
· See News
· See Photos
· See Events
· See Map

Melvin Price Locks and Dam

Melvin Price Locks and Dam
#1 Lock and Dam Way
Alton, Illinois 62002
618-462-1713

The Melvin Price Locks and Dam are located just south of the Clark Bridge in East Alton, Illinois. The locks and dam are used to control the flow of the Mississippi River and enable boats and barges to navigate the river. It was built to replace the old and defective Lock and Dam 26 which was demolished in 1990. Opened in October 1989, the Melvin Price Locks and Dam is impressive in size as well as design. The US Army Corps of Engineers extensively used computer-assisted design which resulted in a state of the art river navigation control system.

Visitors can tour the Locks and Dam facility, as well as visit the National Great Rivers Museum to learn about the history of the people who lived near and used the Mississippi River, its natural ecosystem, and how the locks and dams are used. Admission is free for the museum and the tour. Sign up for tours is necessary. Visitors are taken out onto the top of structure, so dress appropriately for weather conditions! Hours for the Locks and Dam facility, as well as the Museum are 9am to 5pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Melvin Price Locks and Dam Related Links:

Melvin Price Locks and Dam - Rivers Project Website, National Great Rivers Museum

Photo Gallery for Melvin Price Locks and Dam - click thumbnails

Melvin Price Locks and Dam	View of Alton and the Clark Bridge from the dam	Looking 80 feet down to the swirling waters of the Mississippi!	The "control room" of the locks and dam
	The 1,200-ft main lock	A tainter gate	The lock is open waiting for the barges
	The observation room above the Main Lock	A 15 barge tow getting into place to come through the lock
	The tow boat		Gates on the lock closing so the water level can lower
	The miter gates opening for the barge to leave	And out it goes!	Another barge tow gets in place to come through
	On top of the locks and dam		Exhibits in the National Great Rivers Museum
Exhibits in the National Great Rivers Museum

Do you have a photo for Melvin Price Locks and Dam? Send it to us! Submit Your Photo

Recent News About Melvin Price Locks and Dam

Upcoming Events For Melvin Price Locks and Dam