ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, will have four temporary closure periods at Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings, Minnesota, from July 20-29, to replace the lock chamber’s miter gates.
The lock will be closed to all traffic, commercial and recreational, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., July 20, 22, 27 and 29. When the lock reopens after each closure, it is important to note that there is a priority lockage order based on types of vessels. First are government vessels, followed in order by excursion, commercial navigation and recreation boats. Once the lock reopens, lock staff will communicate specific locking instructions via marine band VHF radio channel 14.
Locks and Dam 2’s miter gates are original from the 1940s. Over time, the gates have been damaged and distressed, which has led to serviceability and safety issues. The new upstream gates are 27 feet tall and weigh 256,000 pounds, while the downstream gates are 30 feet tall and weigh 266,000 pounds. The new gates will increase navigational longevity and operational readiness in support of the economically significant navigation infrastructure.
The St. Paul District’s navigation program provides a safe, reliable and cost-effective and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation system on the Upper Mississippi River for the movement of commercial goods and for national security needs. To do this, the district maintains a 9-foot navigation channel and 13 locks and dams from Minneapolis to Guttenberg, Iowa. Keeping this system open is vital to the nation’s economy.
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Release no. 21-060