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Note: First 20 photos are in black-and-white.
- Portland Canal just upriver from McAlpine Locks:
Crane "Henry M. Shreve" hoisting a spare lock gate at Corps of Engineers repair station.
27-Jul-04- Kentucky bank just upriver from McAlpine Locks:
Workers placing precast beams for approach to new bridge at upper end of McAlpine Locks. Swing span of old bridge (circa 1926) can be seen at left.
27-Jul-04- Looking ESE from Portland Canal at passing basin:
"Robert T", "Jay Gene" and deck barges tied off.
27-Jul-04- Looking ENE from Waterfront Park overlook near lower end of Towhead Island:
Floating docks. Towhead Island at left. Louisville Boat Harbor in distance.
27-Jul-04- Looking ENE from Kentucky bank at upper end of floating docks:
Rowers. Coach in jonboat.
27-Jul-04- Looking SW from Riverwalk next to Shawnee Golf Course:
Gallagher Station power plant on Indiana bank.
28-Jul-04- Looking NW from levee near foot of 33rd St.:
Land cleared for restoration of Portland Wharf. Riverwalk in right foreground.
28-Jul-04- Looking NNE from Brownsboro Road at Beargrass Creek:
Beargrass Creek pumping station. (When the Ohio River floods, the gates are closed to keep flood waters from backing up into the creek. Discharge from the creek must then be pumped up into the river, which would be at a higher level than the creek.)
28-Jul-04- Head of Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lillian L. Huger" upbound.
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" preparing to raise and move one of the anchors attached to the guy wires of the dredge "Bill Holman" (at right).
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" preparing to raise and move one of the anchors attached to the guy wires of the dredge "Bill Holman". Floating drum serves as buoy to mark location of anchor. In distance at right, dredged spoil is discharged from end of pipe.
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" (at left) and "Buddy", two boats which assist the dredge "Bill Holman" (in distance at right, near Shippingport Island).
31-Jul-04- Looking NW down Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Sierra Dawn" downbound approaching lift span of L&I Bridge. "Lenard" at right. Riverwalk at left.
31-Jul-04- Looking NW from Riverwalk near 18th St.:
LG&E Canal Substation in left distance.
07-Aug-04- Portland Canal near 17th St.:
"J.N. Philips" downbound.
07-Aug-04- Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Mary Artie Brannon" downbound.
07-Aug-04- Looking ESE from approach to L&I Bridge:
"Hamilton" downbound in Portland Canal. Downtown Louisville in distance. (Turkey vulture at left.)
07-Aug-04- Looking N from midpoint of Clark Bridge:
New expansion joint. Cyclists at left.
08-Aug-04- Looking WSW from lower sidewalk at Cox Park:
Louisville Water Co. Zorn Ave. pumping station in distance.
08-Aug-04- Looking E on dock access road near foot of Clark St., Jeffersonville, Ind.
14-Aug-04- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"River Beaver" downbound.
22-Aug-04- Looking W from Clark Bridge:
"River Beaver" downbound.
22-Aug-04- Looking WSW from lower sidewalk at Waterfront Park (near foot of Preston St.)
28-Aug-04- Looking SSW from Garvin Brown Preserve near river's edge
30-Aug-04- Looking NE from bike/pedestrian walkway near SW end of Cox Park
30-Aug-04- Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Aurora" downbound.
09-Sep-04- Looking N from near foot of 33rd St.:
"R.L. Griffith" downbound below K&I Bridge.
09-Sep-04- Looking NW from foot of 10th St.:
"Bill Stegbauer" downbound approaching L&I Bridge.
09-Sep-04- Looking N from wharf near foot of Bingham Way:
"Gail Ann" departing wharf.
09-Sep-04- Looking WNW from hill at Waterfront Park:
"Sharon M" upbound with cement barge above Big Four Bridge.
10-Sep-04- Looking ESE from Clark Bridge:
"SuperAmerica" downbound. Waterfront Park in distance.
11-Sep-04- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"SuperAmerica" downbound.
11-Sep-04- Wharf just below Clark Bridge:
Derelict sternwheeler used as haunted boat "USS Frightliner". Originally the lighthouse tender "Wakerobin", built for the U.S. Lighthouse Service by Dravo in 1926, later in the Coast Guard and then under lease to the Corps of Engineers.
11-Sep-04
See a brief description and history of the "Wakerobin" and an image gallery of small Coast Guard buoy tenders.
- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park near foot of Towhead Island:
Boats tied up at floating dock, probably as a refuge from the anticipated period of high water due to heavy rain from remnants of Hurricane Ivan.
18-Sep-04- Head of Portland Canal (near foot of 11th St.):
"Mary Lou" downbound. Driftwood.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
19-Sep-04
A note on river levels: The normal river level above McAlpine Dam (the upper pool) is 12 feet on the upper gauge, which corresponds to 420 feet above sea level. Flood stage on the upper gauge is 23 feet. The normal river level below McAlpine Dam (the lower pool) is 9 feet on the lower gauge, which corresponds to 383 feet above sea level. However, the lower pool would only be this low during a very dry period. Flood stage on the lower gauge is 55 feet.
The Corps of Engineers generally tries to keep the upper pool as close to normal as possible while letting the lower pool rise and fall. This is accomplished by opening and closing the nine tainter gates (named for Jeremiah Burnham Tainter (1836-1920)) built into McAlpine Dam (five at the upper site near the Indiana span of the L&I Bridge and four at the lower site near the hydro-electric plant). Each gate is 100 feet wide and 22 feet high. If you call the McAlpine Locks river level info number (502-775-5056), you will hear a recorded message telling you (besides the gauge readings and predictions) how many feet of dam are open. One "foot of dam" means one gate raised one foot, allowing water to pass under it. So, for example, if they are "running 20 feet of dam" at the upper site, this could mean 5 gates each open 4 feet, or 2 gates open 5 feet, one gate open 4 feet and 2 gates open 3 feet, or some other combination which adds up to 20 feet. "All out" means that all gates are fully raised so the water flows through unimpeded. The Ohio River dams are designed to maintain a minimum 9-foot water depth for year-round navigation, not for flood control. The top of McAlpine Dam is 423 feet above sea level, or 15 feet on the upper gauge. At that point, water flows right over the dam.
Two views of closed upper gates of McAlpine Dam (gauge readings are not known, but the fact that all gates are closed indicates low water):
(1) Looking SE from Falls of the Ohio:
Middle gate of 5 upper gates at McAlpine Dam. Gates are raised and lowered by cables attached to electric winches at top of gate structure. Note maintenance bulkhead above gate. There are three of these bulkheads which can be lowered in front of gates to block water flow and so allow gate to be examined or repaired as needed.
14-Nov-98
(2) Looking E from Falls of the Ohio:
Pier at SW end of Indiana chute span of Conrail (now L&I) Bridge, with upper gates of McAlpine Dam. Even when gates are closed, a small amount of water gets through. Yellow sign atop gate structure reads, "Warning: Siren means increased flow." This warns people walking on the outer fossil beds or fishing from small boats that the water level will be rising. Water passing through the open gates has such a high velocity that those walking on the outer fossil beds will be unable to wade through it and so may be stranded. At left, fisherman is netting minnows.
14-Nov-98See also a chart of McAlpine Locks and Dam, Portland Canal and Falls of the Ohio and the Corps of Engineers manual Engineering and Design - Design of Spillway Tainter Gates (PDF format).
When the upper gauge reaches 13 feet (indicating a significant current), the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) operated by Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley goes into effect. Vessels moving on the stretch of river between Twelve Mile Island (mile 592) and McAlpine Locks (mile 607) should be in radio contact with the vessel traffic operator ("Louisville Traffic"), who maintains a safe distance between them and also ensures that downbound tows don't proceed through the Louisville bridges unless the L&I Bridge lift span is raised and there is room in the Portland Canal.
When the upper gauge reaches 32 feet, McAlpine Lock is closed. I believe this last occurred in March 1997:
Looking W from McAlpine Locks observation deck (later closed to public):
Flood waters flow through 1200-foot lock, covering tops of lock walls. Turbulence is caused by water flowing over top of upper miter gates. River is cresting today.
Upper gauge is 39 feet, lower gauge is 71 feet.
07-Mar-97
In comparison, here is what the lock looked like at normal pool. The two small locks which are being replaced by a new 1200-foot lock can be seen at upper left:
Looking W from McAlpine Locks observation deck:
"Robert Shelton" about to lock down.
Upper gauge is 12 feet, lower gauge is 14 feet.
16-Aug-93The top 5 historical crests on the upper gauge:
(1) 52.15 ft on 01/27/1937
(2) 42.10 ft on 03/08/1945
(3) 41.70 ft on 02/16/1884
(4) 41.20 ft on 03/12/1964
(5) 39.50 ft on 02/16/1883
The floodwall in Louisville is 3 feet higher than the level of the 1937 flood.
- Looking SW from Riverwalk near Shawnee Golf Course:
"James E. Anderson" upbound at Gallagher Station power plant.
Lower gauge is 33 feet.
19-Sep-04- Looking E from near foot of 12th St.:
Driftwood. Louisville bridges and riverfront in distance.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
19-Sep-04- Looking NE from Kentucky end of Clark Bridge:
"Lee Synnott" downbound.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
19-Sep-04- Looking N from Kentucky end of Clark Bridge:
"Bob Stith" upbound.
Upper gauge is 18 feet.
20-Sep-04- Looking N from Waterfront Park below JFK Bridge:
"Sallie Ann" downbound.
Upper gauge is 19 feet.
21-Sep-04- Looking E from Riverwalk near foot of 12th St.:
"Judith Ellen" downbound.
Upper gauge is 19 feet.
21-Sep-04- Looking SW from Riverwalk near Shawnee Golf Course:
Wild sunflowers, with Gallagher Station power plant in distance.
Lower gauge is 49 feet.
22-Sep-04- Looking N from Kentucky end of Clark Bridge:
"Craig E. Philip" upbound.
Upper gauge is 20 feet.
23-Sep-04- Looking NW from Riverwalk above McAlpine Locks:
"Larry Y. Strain" upbound out of lock. In distance, Shippingport Island approach to new bridge over heads of locks can be seen under construction.
Upper gauge is 20 feet,
23-Sep-04
See a diagram of McAlpine Locks with new structures superimposed over existing ones.
- Looking N from levee between 26th and 27th Sts.:
Construction of approaches to new bridge over heads of locks.
23-Sep-04- Looking W from south end of Shawnee Park:
"River Stallion" in tow of "James K. Ellis" upbound, with wild sunflowers.
Lower gauge is 49 feet.
23-Sep-04- Looking WSW from Riverwalk near Shawnee Golf Course:
"River Stallion" in tow of "James K. Ellis" upbound, with wild sunflowers, and Gallagher Station in distance.
Lower gauge is 49 feet.
23-Sep-04- Looking down from Clark Bridge:
"Donna York", with "Sharon M" assisting, upbound.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
25-Sep-04- Looking ESE from Clark Bridge:
"Donna York", with "Sharon M" assisting, upbound. Waterfront Park in distance.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
25-Sep-04- Portland Canal near 17th St.:
"Warren W. Hines" downbound.
02-Oct-04- Looking NE from Clark Bridge:
"Athena" downbound with anhydrous ammonia barges.
Ramada Inn and Harbours condominiums on distant Indiana bank, with JFK Bridge at right.
03-Oct-04- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Athena" downbound with anhydrous ammonia barges.
Red sign on pier reads, "Restricted: No pleasure or fishing craft below bridge except for passage through McAlpine Locks."
Just left of red sign is light hanging from bridge which marks center of navigation channel.
03-Oct-04- Looking W from near amphitheater at Waterfront Park:
Sailboats departing under power after Fleur de Lis Regatta races called off due to no wind and too much current.
Big Four, JFK and Clark Bridges in distance. Lower end of Towhead Island at right.
03-Oct-04- Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Jerry E. Holbert" downbound.
04-Oct-04- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park toward Towhead Island:
Rowers training, with coach in jonboat giving instructions over bullhorn.
05-Oct-04- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park toward Towhead Island:
Rowers training, with coach in jonboat.
06-Oct-04- Looking W from Waterfront Park across from Towhead Island (at right):
Rowers training, with coach in jonboat. Floating docks at left.
06-Oct-04- Looking N from near foot of 10th St.:
"Martha May" downbound. In foreground is part of concrete embankment which has been cracked and tilted up so the formerly sloped surface is now horizontal. L&I Br. and upper gates of McAlpine Dam in distance.
14-Oct-04- Looking NW from observation deck near foot of 12th St.:
Lead barges in tow of "Martha May" stopped while waiting for train to cross L&I Bridge. Mulberry tree at left.
14-Oct-04- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 18th St.:
"Martha May" downbound, "Mary Harter" upbound. At right is part of 18th St. observation deck.
14-Oct-04- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 21st St.:
"Martha May" downbound, "Tennessee" upbound.
14-Oct-04- Looking W from Captain's Quarter's restaurant at Harrods Creek:
"CQ Princess" dining and excursion boat leaving dock.
(Concrete dock has replaced old wooden dock.)
16-Oct-04- Looking NW from Waterfront Park near Adventure Playground (above Big Four Bridge):
"SuperAmerica" upbound at Big Four Bridge. At left is old mooring cell with sign reading, "Warning: No visitors, no smoking, no open lights." Before being acquired for the park, this land was the site of a Chevron asphalt terminal.
17-Oct-04- Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"Laura Tamble" downbound, with mulberry tree in foreground.
22-Oct-04- Looking W from Waterfront Park docks near lower end of Towhead Island:
Tall spuds (vertical cylinders) allow floating docks to rise with the river level. Police boats are now docked here. Future site of Tumbleweed restaurant is at upper left.
24-Oct-04- Looking NNE from Adventure Playground (between Big Four Bridge and Towhead Island) at Waterfront Park:
Metal fish sculptures in water play area periodically spout water (though not at the moment). "Ana Louise" upbound in distance. Foot of Towhead Island can be seen at right.
24-Oct-04- Looking N from near foot of 10th St.:
"James G. Hines" upbound. Elm tree growing from crack in concrete embankment. In distance are L&I Bridge and upper gates of McAlpine Dam.
25-Oct-04- Looking E from near foot of 10th St.:
"James G. Hines" upbound approaching Clark Bridge, with concrete embankment in foreground. At upper right, Muhammad Ali Center is under construction.
25-Oct-04- Looking N from Waterfront Park below JFK Bridge:
"Penny Eckstein" upbound at JFK Bridge.
26-Oct-04- Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"Linda Little" upbound. Mulberry tree.
26-Oct-04- Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"American Beauty" upbound. Mulberry tree.
26-Oct-04- Looking ENE from Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"American Beauty" upbound.
26-Oct-04- Looking NW from near foot of 9th St.:
"Ashland" downbound approaching L&I Bridge. 9th St. ramp to westbound I-64 at upper left.
05-Nov-04- Looking NNW from near foot of 10th St.:
"Charles T. Jones" downbound at head of Portland Canal. Riverwalk in foreground. Ash tree with seed pods.
06-Nov-04- Looking N from near foot of 10th St.:
"Bobby Jones" downbound with anhydrous ammonia barge. Riverwalk in foreground. L&I Bridge in distance. At right is cell at upper end of vane dike.
06-Nov-04- Looking NW from Waterfront Park between Adventure Playground and amphitheater:
"Eva Kelley" upbound above Big Four Bridge. Pile-drilling rig at future site of Tumbleweed restaurant.
06-Nov-04- Looking NNE from between Big Four and JFK Bridges:
"Roy Mechling" upbound at Big Four Bridge, with Jeffersonville, Ind., in distance. Royal paulownia at right, sycamore at lower left.
07-Nov-04- Looking NE from between Big Four and JFK Bridges:
"Roy Mechling" upbound at Big Four Bridge. Jeffboat in distance. At right, barges are moored along north side of Towhead Island.
07-Nov-04- Looking WSW from just below JFK Bridge:
Sycamore tree at left, and recently-built Waterfront Park Place condominiums in left distance. Clark Bridge at right.
09-Nov-04- Looking WNW from between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Carl Cannon" upbound at JFK Bridge.
09-Nov-04- Looking NNW from between JFK (left) and Big Four (right) Bridges:
"Carl Cannon" upbound.
09-Nov-04- Looking N from Waterfront Park below JFK Bridge:
"Hazel" upbound at JFK Bridge.
10-Nov-04- Looking NNW from just below JFK Bridge:
"De LaSalle" upbound at JFK Bridge. Numbers on bridge pier indicate clearance between water and bottom of bridge. (Top number is 20, bottom number is 60).
12-Nov-04- Looking SW from near foot of Clark St., Jeffersonville, Indiana:
Old dock, with sycamore and elm trees at right. JFK Bridge and downtown Louisville in distance.
13-Nov-04- Looking S from fossil beds at Falls of the Ohio, Clarksville, Indiana:
Rushing water, with L&I Bridge in distance. 63 feet of dam are open at the upper gate site (left of center).
Lower gauge is 28 feet.
13-Nov-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Gail Ann" upbound.
01-Dec-04- Looking N from near foot of 24th St.:
"Miss Ida" with fuel flat "James W. Bennett" approaching Kentucky bank. Corps of Engineers repair station with "David C. Russelburg", "J.C. Thomas", crane "Henry M. Shreve" and spare lock gates. LG&E hydro-electric plant in distance, beyond "Miss Ida".
03-Dec-04- Looking NW from Clark Bridge:
"Explorer" upbound with tow of coal, steel and other cargo. L&I Bridge in distance.
04-Dec-04- Looking down from downriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Explorer" upbound. (Shadow at lower left is cast by National City Tower at 5th and Main Sts.)
04-Dec-04- Looking NNE from Portland Canal near foot of 21st St.:
"Robert M. Kopper" (left) downbound, "Crimson Glory" (right) upbound.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
05-Dec-04- Looking NE from near foot of 34th St.:
"Robert M. Kopper" downbound. Large stone block in foreground appears to be from demolished 1872 lock at McAlpine. (Two old locks are being replaced by a new 1200-foot lock. Many of these stone blocks have been saved and placed in various parks around Louisville.) K&I Bridge in distance.
Lower gauge is 40 feet.
05-Dec-04- Looking NNE from between 33rd and 34th Sts.:
"Ana Louise" upbound at K&I Bridge.
Lower gauge is 40 feet.
05-Dec-04- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Ana Louise" upbound.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
05-Dec-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Cheryl Stegbauer" downbound. Bridge pier at right.
Upper gauge is 15 feet.
15-Dec-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Wayne McBride" upbound. Bridge pier at right.
Upper gauge is 15 feet.
15-Dec-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Sue Chappell" upbound.
Upper gauge is 15 feet.
15-Dec-04- Looking ESE from near L&I Bridge:
"Wayne McBride" downbound with empty hopper barge. Downtown Louisville in distance.
15-Dec-04- Looking SW from Clark Bridge:
"Sheila Johnson" upbound with tank barges ("Kraton 1" is the bow barge). Louisville riverfront in distance.
16-Dec-04- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Sheila Johnson" upbound.
16-Dec-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Neil N. Diehl" upbound.
17-Dec-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Neil N. Diehl" upbound.
17-Dec-04- Looking WSW from Waterfront Park between Preston and Floyd Sts.:
Floating dock at boat harbor.
Humana Waterside Building at left.
Upper gauge is 27 feet.
14-Jan-05- Looking W from Waterfront Park near foot of Towhead Island:
Steps leading down to floating dock are partly submerged.
Big Four Bridge in distance.
Upper gauge is 27 feet.
14-Jan-05- Looking ESE from Adventure Playground at Waterfront Park:
Water play area is partly covered by high water.
Metal fish, including paddlefish at upper left, spout water during warm months.
At center are structures representing a towboat (with unusually-tilted pilothouse roof) pushing a barge and a sternwheel steamboat.
Upper gauge is 27 feet.
14-Jan-05- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park near Adventure Playground:
"Anne B" upbound at Big Four Bridge.
Birch tree at right.
Upper gauge is 27 feet.
14-Jan-05- Looking SSW from near foot of Locust St., Jeffersonville, Ind.:
Houseboats, with Big Four Bridge in distance.
Dinghys are used to travel between riverbank and docked boats cut off by high water.
Upper gauge is 26 feet.
15-Jan-05- Looking SW from overlook (near foot of Brook St.) at Waterfront Park:
Joe's Crab Shack. Wharf under high water.
At normal river levels, string of floats is used to keep driftwood out of water feature.
Upper gauge is 26 feet.
15-Jan-05- Looking N from River Road between 3rd and 4th Sts.:
Temporary scaffolding used to cross high water to "Belle of Louisville" (left) and wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus" (recently renovated).
At right is one of the supporting piers for Interstate 64.
Upper gauge is 26 feet.
15-Jan-05- Looking NW from 26th St. at Riverwalk crossing:
In right distance, one of six bridge beams has been placed spanning upper approach to existing 1200-foot lock at McAlpine.
At left is landside approach to bridge under constuction.
New bridge will be high enough that lift or swing spans are not needed.
15-Apr-05- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park toward Towhead Island:
Collegiate School rowing team training, with coach following in jonboat.
15-Apr-05- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park toward Towhead Island:
Collegiate School rowing team training, with coach in jonboat.
On floating dock is wooden box with outrigger and oar, used for practising rowing strokes.
15-Apr-05- Looking W from Waterfront Park near rowing clubhouse toward lower end of Towhead Island:
Ramp leading down to floating dock, with rowers on river.
I think piles were once used to tie off barges at Shell Oil terminal.
15-Apr-05- Looking NNE from near foot of 33rd St.:
"Sarah L. Ingram" upbound at K&I Bridge.
Lower end of Sand Island is visible at far right.
16-Apr-05- Looking NE from near foot of 33rd St.:
"Sarah L. Ingram" upbound at K&I Bridge, approaching McAlpine Locks.
Fishermen are collecting spoonbills (paddlefish, or Polyodon spathula) from nets hung from plastic jugs.
Sand Island is visible at right.
16-Apr-05More on Polyodon spathula.
- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Paul G. Blazer" upbound.
16-Apr-05- Looking E from Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Paul G. Blazer" upbound. Downtown Louisville in distance.
16-Apr-05- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park between Big Four and JFK Bridges:
"Sarah Hunter" upbound above JFK Bridge.
20-Apr-05- Looking NNE from between 33rd and 34th Sts.:
"O.H. Ingram" upbound at L&I Bridge, approaching McAlpine Locks (not visible).
25-Apr-05- Looking NNE from Waterfront Park between Big Four and JFK Bridges:
"Roberta Tabor" upbound at channel span of Big Four Bridge.
Jeffboat in right distance.
At left, honeysuckle and royal paulownia.
27-Apr-05- Looking NE from near foot of 34th St.:
"O.H. Ingram" downbound below K&I Bridge.
28-Apr-05- Looking NE from between 33rd and 34th Sts.:
"McKenna Marie" downbound at K&I Bridge.
Fishing boat.
28-Apr-05- Looking NE from between 33rd and 34th Sts.:
"Darin Adrian" upbound at K&I Bridge.
Lower gauge is 34 feet.
02-May-05- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Darin Adrian" upbound.
Wooden observation deck is almost awash.
Upper gauge is 15 feet.
02-May-05- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"George King" downbound.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
03-May-05- Looking W from Shawnee Park:
"George King" downbound.
Flood control structure (appears to be a pair of storm sewer valves) in foreground.
Lower gauge is 38 feet.
03-May-05- Looking N from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Belle of Cincinnati" downbound at Big Four Bridge.
In foreground, a cement barge is docked at LaFarge Corp. terminal.
Jeffersonville, Ind., in distance.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
04-May-05- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Belle of Cincinnati" downbound approaching JFK Bridge.
Royal paulownia (aka empress tree, Paulownia tomentosa), with purple flowers at left.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
04-May-05More on Paulownia tomentosa.
- Looking W from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
Kentucky end of JFK Bridge is enclosed by tarps during repainting.
Highway signs have been temporarily removed and propped against trailer.
Cottonwood tree in left foreground.
"Belle of Cincinnati" in distance.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
04-May-05- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park across from lower end of Towhead Island:
Waterfront Development Corp. boat (at left) and police boats, with floating police boathouse.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
04-May-05- Looking N from Portland Canal near foot of 24th St.:
"Cindy L. Erickson" downbound.
Crane "Henry M. Shreve" can be seen at Corps of Engineers repair station.
LG&E hydro-electric plant can be seen in right distance.
Railroad ties are stacked next to tracks.
06-May-05- Looking N from Portland Canal just above passing basin (near 20th St.):
"Crimson Gem" downbound.
"Roberta Tabor" upbound in left distance.
07-May-05- Looking N from near foot of 33rd St.:
"Crimson Gem" downbound at K&I Bridge.
Lower gauge is 25 feet.
07-May-05- Looking NNE from wharf near foot of 1st St.:
"Alvin C. Johnson" downbound at Clark Bridge.
"Delta Queen" docked at wharf.
07-May-05- Looking NE from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" downbound.
Harbours at RiverPointe condos (left) and JFK Bridge in distance
23-Jul-05- Looking down from downriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" turning to port before docking at wharf.
Smokestack and navigation light pole have been lowered to clear bridge.
23-Jul-05- Looking SW from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" turning around before docking at wharf above bridge.
To right of distant crane is Muhammad Ali Center under construction at River Road and 6th St.
23-Jul-05- Looking SSW from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" upbound before docking at wharf above bridge.
At right are "Spirit of Jefferson", "Belle of Louisville" and wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus".
23-Jul-05- Looking ENE from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" about to dock at wharf above bridge.
Waterfront Development Building at upper right; 3rd St. ramp at lower right.
JFK and Big Four Bridges in distance.
23-Jul-05- Looking WSW from near Indiana end of L&I Bridge, Clarksville, Ind.:
Fishermen below castellations (gaps) in McAlpine Dam.
In foreground is retaining wall for observation area.
Upper gates of dam in left distance.
Flow from partly open gate can be seen breaking into white water as it hits bridge pier.
Upper gauge is 13 feet, lower gauge is 11 feet.
23-Jul-05- Looking SW from near Indiana end of L&I Bridge:
Fishermen below McAlpine Dam.
Castellations at left were cut about year 2000 to permit water to flow through this area year-round.
At center are upper gates of McAlpine Dam.
Between castellations and upper gates can be seen sill of navigable pass of old Dam No. 41 (completed in 1927) through which boats could travel during high water.
Upper gauge is 13 feet, lower gauge is 11 feet.
23-Jul-05Some notes on McAlpine Dam and its predecessors, based mainly on Chapters 10, 11 and 14 of The Falls City Engineers, by Leland R. Johnson (PDF format), one of many Corps of Engineers publications available.
The original timber-crib dam at the Falls of the Ohio was completed in 1881 and modified in later years. This dam was replaced about 1910 by a dam which raised the surface of the river to 412 feet above sea level, thus providing a minimum navigation depth of 9 feet from Louisville up to Madison, Ind., where it was expected that another dam would be built. (The Ohio River Canalization Project, authorized by Congress in 1910 and completed in 1929, provided for the construction of 54 dams which together would ensure a year-round 9 foot minimum depth along the whole length of the Ohio River.) The 1910 dam was a combination of Boule dam, Chanoine wickets and masonry weirs.
See diagrams of various types of movable dams from chapter 7 of Engineering and Design - Monograph Prepared by M. Petersen on Inland Navigation and Canalization (PDF format).In 1920, it was decided to raise the pool above the dam an additional 8 feet to 420 feet above sea level (equivalent to 12 feet on the upper gauge). This would eliminate the need to build the Madison dam as well as provide sufficient height ("head") to power a hydroelectric plant. The new dam (Dam No. 41) and hydro plant (or powerhouse) were built between 1925 and 1927; Lock No. 41 had already opened in 1921 next to an existing smaller lock at the lower end of the Portland Canal. Dam No. 41 consisted of fixed weir, Boule dam, a Chanoine wicket navigable pass and two "bear traps" (to allow the release of small amounts of water, and perhaps useful in flushing debris accumulated above the hydro plant). During high water, boats could travel through the navigable pass, under the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge and down through the Falls, thus eliminating the slow trip through the canal and lock.
See a 1934 chart of Locks and Dam No. 41 and two photos showing the dangerous work of raising or lowering Boule dam (from chapter 14 of The Falls City Engineers, by Leland R. Johnson)): Looking SE toward the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge at Dam No. 41 and probably looking W from the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge at Dam No. 41.Between 1961 and 1964, Dam No. 41 was replaced by another dam with the same elongated "Z" shape but with no navigable pass. This dam consists of fixed concrete weir and 9 tainter gates in two groups (5 upper gates and 4 lower gates). The Boule and Chanoine sections of Lock No. 41 were left in upright position and embedded within the concrete of the new dam, which is named McAlpine Dam in honor of William H. McAlpine, Principal Assistant Engineer of the Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1912-1930, and an expert on lock and dam design and construction.
See a 2000 chart of McAlpine Locks and Dam, Portland Canal and Falls of the Ohio.- Looking S from near Indiana end of L&I Bridge:
Part of McAlpine Dam, with castellations.
Downtown Louisville in distance.
Sycamore, willow and morning glory in foreground.
This part of dam dates back to old Dam No. 41.
Upper gauge is 13 feet, lower gauge is 11 feet.
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