Coffeeville Lock and Dam, Navigation lock and gravity dam on Tombigbee River, Alabama.
Coffeeville Lock and Dam spans the Tombigbee River with a structure combining a lock chamber and concrete gravity dam sections. It maintains a 9-foot (2.7 meter) navigation channel that allows vessels to move between different water levels while helping manage flood risks along the river.
Construction started in 1956 under the name Jackson Lock and Dam, reaching operation in 1960 with final completion in 1965. The project was part of a broader effort to control river flow and improve navigation throughout the southeastern waterway system.
The lock and dam complex made it possible for commercial vessels to travel more efficiently through the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway, reshaping how goods move through the region.
The site is accessible year-round with viewing areas where visitors can watch the lock operations and river activities. The best time to visit is during clear weather when boat movements through the lock are easiest to see.
The facility originally had a different name during its initial planning phase before receiving its current designation. Visitors might be surprised to learn that the lock moves millions of tons of cargo annually, making it a critical part of southeastern trade routes.
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