Yamhill River lock and dam

The Yamhill River lock is a water control structure on a river in Oregon that consists of a single chamber with concrete walls and connected dam structures. The facility allowed boats to move between different water levels while also regulating water flow for irrigation and navigation.

The lock was completed in 1900 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve boat traffic between two river towns. Within a few decades after its opening, the intense use by river steamers declined as railroads and roads increasingly crossed the region.

The lock reflects the importance of river commerce for farmers who once shipped their goods downriver to larger markets. It shows how engineering solutions were directly tied to the economic life of rural communities in that era.

The site offers public walkways and viewing points from which the lock and its operation are clearly visible. It is best to wear comfortable shoes and bring weather protection appropriate to the season.

The lock is one of only three water control structures of its kind built on the Pacific Coast in the 19th century. Its preservation makes it a rare remnant of an era when river commerce defined connections between communities.

Location: Yamhill County

Architects: United States Army Corps of Engineers

GPS coordinates: 45.23060,-123.10400

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:26