Morgantown Lock and Dam

Morgantown Lock and Dam is a single-chamber lock and gravity dam structure on the Monongahela River that maintains navigation depth for commercial barges and towboats. The facility creates a water pool behind it, allowing vessels to pass through reliably regardless of seasonal flow changes.

Wooden predecessor locks were built in the late 1800s to support growing river commerce in the valley. The concrete structure visible today was completed after World War II, replacing those earlier facilities with a permanent design.

The structure represents industrial heritage tied to river commerce that shaped the region for generations. You can watch barges and towboats navigate through from viewing areas, giving a sense of how the waterway remains active.

The site sits near major roads and has viewing areas where you can watch vessels pass through the lock chamber. Arriving in the morning gives you good lighting and a chance to see barge traffic, though you may need to wait to catch a vessel in transit.

The lock operates using gravity and mechanical systems rather than motors, with water pressure alone moving the heavy gates. This design from the mid-1900s continues to function reliably today, requiring no electrical controls for basic operation.