Belleville Lock and Dam, Navigation lock and hydroelectric dam on Ohio River between Meigs County, Ohio and Wood County, West Virginia, United States.
Belleville Lock and Dam is a navigation facility and dam on the Ohio River between Ohio and West Virginia. The site contains two separate locks of different sizes and an integrated power generation station.
Construction began in 1962 and was completed in 1968, establishing a permanent navigation route on the Ohio River. The project represented a major infrastructure investment for the region.
The Ohio River navigation system, including Belleville Lock and Dam, transformed local communities by establishing reliable water transportation routes for goods and materials.
Visitors can observe the lock in operation from several viewpoints along the dam and watch how vessels navigate through the system. The best viewing spots are typically along the northern shore where you have clear sightlines.
The facility generates electricity while regulating river flow, allowing the power station to serve a dual economic purpose alongside navigation. This design means the utility can produce power simultaneously with ship traffic.
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