I've seen locks along the Upper Mississippi and this is the first one I've ever seen on the Ohio River. Originally named the Gallipolis Locks and Dam, it was constructed in 1937 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. An update was completed in 1993 to replace the lock chambers with larger ones capable of handling more modern river traffic. Renamed in 1994 in honor of Senator Robert C. Byrd, the Locks & Dam have eight roller gates spanning 1132 feet with a lift of 23 feet between pools. It impounds the river for nearly 42 miles extending to the Racine Dam and 45 miles to the Winfield Locks on the Kanawha. There is a fishing pier here that was getting some good use this morning on the West Virginia side. Unfortunately, no river traffic was passing through, so we didn't get to see the locks in action. [Review 603 of 2025 - 180 in West Virginia - 24164 overall] read more

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