Howell Heflin Lock and Dam

Howell Heflin Lock and Dam is a navigation structure on the Black Warrior River designed to move boats through a water-level difference of up to 64 feet. The lock chamber measures 110 feet by 600 feet and is controlled by fourteen tainter gates, while hydroelectric turbines on the north bank generate power.

This facility opened in 1966 and replaced several earlier locks and dams built during the early 1900s. The replacement was part of a broader effort to modernize river navigation in the region.

The structure is named after Howell Thomas Heflin, a U.S. Senator from Alabama who represented the state during the late twentieth century. The name reflects his connection to the state's growth and development.

Visitors can view the structure from multiple vantage points along the river, especially from the road that crosses the dam. Daytime visits work best to observe the lock operations and watch how boats move through the water levels.

The structure creates Holt Lake, a reservoir that stretches about 19 miles upstream and connects with the John Hollis Bankhead Lock and Dam system nearby. This connection forms a continuous navigation route through the area.

Location: Alabama

GPS coordinates: 32.83690,-88.13580

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26