Markland Locks and Dam

From the Book:
Southeast Indiana Day Trips

Transcript

Greetings, today we will visit the Markland Locks and Dam on the Ohio River in Switzerland County
The Markland Locks and Dam are located on the Ohio River 6 miles East of Vevay connecting Indiana and Kentucky by bridge on Indiana State Road 156 to Kentucky State Road 42. The Markland Locks and Dam provide extra depth for the Ohio River, allowing year round barge and boat traffic. The locks allow barges to travel upstream and downstream. A bridge across the concrete dam allow motor traffic between Indiana and Kentucky. Cinergy operates a hydroelectric plant at the site, providing electric power for a portion of the region.
History
The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors developed the plan to construct the Markland Locks and Dam to replace Ohio River Locks and Dams No. 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39. The Secretary of the Army approved the plan on March 11, 1953. Construction commenced on the locks in March 1956 and began operation on May 1959. Construction of the dam began in April 1959 and concluded in June 1964.
Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors
Created on June 13, 1902, the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors was responsible for reviewing reports on river and harbor improvements submitted by Corps of Engineer officers. The Board could approve or disapprove projects, which were then reviewed by the Secretary of the Army. The Board was disbanded March 2, 1993. The United States Corps of Engineers currently supervises the facility. The Federal Power Commission granted Cinergy a license to build a hydroelectric plant at the dam. Completed in 1967, the plant produces about 45 megawatts on average per day and provides power for about 15,000 residents of southern Indiana. Power output depends upon the river’s current and can vary from 20 to 90 megawatts per day.
Locks and Dam
The locks consist of a 110 x 1200 and a 110 x 600 auxillary lock. The dam is 1,395 feet long and creates a pool that extends over ninty-five miles upstream to the Meldahl Locks and Dam at Felicity, Ohio. The dam creates navigable areas for three rivers, the Miami, Licking, and Little Miami. The facility is 531.5 miles below the Ohio River’s beginning at the junction of the Allegheny and Monogela Rivers at Pittsburg and 26.5 miles from Madison, Indiana. The locks are located on the Kentucky side of the river.
Markland Locks and Dam
State Road 156
Florence, IN 47020

Markland Dam Park
Markland Dam Park includes an observation tower that allows visitors to watch the locks operation as barges and boats travel through it. It also provides a majestic view of the Ohio River. The park features a picnic area/shelter and a baseball field.
Markland Dam Park
532 Highway 156
Florence, IN, 47020

You can find information about the places in this podcast in my book, Southeast Indiana Road Trips. The book is part of a 9 book series that details just about any road trip destination in Indiana that you can think of, and many you will not think of. Each book covers a different region in the state and each covers approximately 10 counties. Destination include parks, museums, drive in theatres, bowling alleys and many, many other interesting places. The books, along with my other 130 plus titles, are found on my web site, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. The books are available in ebook, softbound and audio book formats. While you are on the web site, please subscribe by registering your email address in the subscribe button. When I post something, usually about 3 – 5 times weekly, you will recieve an email. The posts include podcast episodes, You Tube videos as well as other content, including the publication of a new book. Residents of southeastern Indiana can find them at the Walnut Street Variety Shoppe on George Street in Batesville. This podcast will be available as a video in You tube on my Mossy Feet Books channel, which you can subscribe to. You can also follow me on Facebook at Indiana Places and History page. If you follow me on Facebook, you will be notified of when I publish a new book, usually about 10 new books a year. I also post tons of other content as well
I hope you enjoyed this podcast and thank you for listening. Fr