Corps Adds Additional Closure Date To Lock And Dam 8 Miter Gate Replacement

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is adding an additional navigation closure date to install new miter gates at Lock and Dam 8, in Genoa, Wis.

Corps officials announced June 22 that they also will need to close the lock to navigation June 28. The lock will be closed to all river traffic, commercial and recreational, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Previously announced closures include June 14, 16, 21 and 23. The additional closure is needed to complete maintenance work on the new miter gates.

When the lock reopens after each closure, it is important to note that there is a priority order of lockage based on vessel type. First are government vessels, followed in order by excursion, commercial navigation and recreation boats, the Corps said. Once the lock reopens, lock staff will communicate specific locking instructions via marine band VHF radio channel 14.

The Lock and Dam 8 miter gates are original from the 1930s. Over time, the gates have been damaged and distressed, which has led to serviceability issues, according to the Corps. The new gates are expected to increase navigational longevity and operational readiness.