Locks and Dams

Cheatham Lock Closed for Maintenance

March 21, 2025 By Waterways Journal

Cheatham Lock, located at Cumberland River Mile 148.7, is currently under scheduled maintenance as part a joint effort between the Nashville Engineer District and the Corps of Engineers’ Regional Rivers Repair Fleet (R3F).

Maintenance is currently focused on mechanical issues that are integral to the functioning of the lock, which plays a key role in supporting commercial navigation along the Cumberland River.

“This project’s goal is to repair deficiencies in the river-side valves discovered the last time R3F was here,” said Stephen Panter, Cheatham Lock and Dam equipment mechanic supervisor. “If the valve isn’t repaired, it could put extra stress on the parts that hold it in place, which might lead to damage in key components like the valve stem — the mechanism that moves the valve, and the hydraulic system that controls it.”

Matt Landreth (left) gives a thumbs up to Brian Levine, as he prepares for a dive as part of maintenance work being done on the river-side valves at Cheatham Lock in Ashland City, Tennessee, on March 11, 2025. Landreth and Levine are both dive team members for the U.S. Army Crops of Engineers Nashville District. (USACE photo by Michael Davis)

The repair work is being carried out by the Light Capacity Fleet, a division of the Huntington District’s Regional Rivers Repair Fleet. Based out of Old Hickory Lock and Dam in Nashville, Tenn., LCF specializes in lock and dam maintenance and repair. LCF is also being assisted by the Nashville District dive team and other maintenance personnel.

“The collaboration between the Nashville District and the LCF is critical,” Panter said. “There’s a clear understanding of our maintenance and repair needs, and both teams work together to plan and execute these repairs according to our budget and fiscal year planning.”

Cheatham Lock was closed to navigation traffic on March 10 and is projected to reopen at the end of May. Five interim lock openings have been scheduled by the Corps to allow vessels to pass during construction and to minimize disruptions to both commercial and recreational traffic. These interim lock openings are scheduled for March 20-24, April 3-7, April 17-21, May 1-5 and May 15-19.

“Our closure periods last 11 days, then we open for five days to allow traffic to move through,” Panter explained. “Our operators manage the lock queue, but the towing industry may make adjustments depending on their needs.”

For updates on the Cheatham Lock and other information from the Nashville Engineer District, visit the district’s website at www.lrd.usace.army.mil/About/Districts/Nashville-District.

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