The Wilson Lock Project

Creator

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Source Collection

University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, Shoals History Collection, Collier Library. 

Description

Explanation of the significance of the Wilson Lock Project:

At Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the Tennessee Valley Authority has constructed and placed in operation a new navigation lock of 100-ft. lift, probably the world's highest single-lift lock. This new facility, a badly needed addition at Wilson Dam, was built with a minimum of interference with river traffic. The old lock, completed with the dam in 1925, had become a costly bottle-neck for the rapidly expanding river traffic through Wilson Dam and eight other dams on the 650-mile navigable main stem of the Tennessee River. Over 3,244,000 tons of cargo was locked through Wilson Dam in 1958.

On-site construction began in July 1956, and in November 1959 the new lock was placed in commercial operation. Related improvements completed include the lowering of the 3-mile Florence Canal ten feet by a unique procedure to keep traffic moving and the construction of a new high-level highway bridge of curved girder design over both locks. Related improvements to be completed include deepening the lower chamber of the old lock and replacing the existing railroad swing span at the lower end of the canal with a clear-span lift structure to provide an unobstructed channel alignment. Total project cost is estimated at $38 million.

As early as 1785 settlers in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama were using the river to ship produce to Mississippi River ports.

Date Created

8-21-2026

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