More tonnage passes this point than any other place in the inland navigation system. Clearly, this is a critical reach of water from a commercial navigation perspective. In a raised position the wickets will maintain the required navigable depths from the Olmsted project upstream to Smithland Locks and Dam. When river flows are sufficient, the wickets can be lowered with a crane device mounted on a boat so that they will lay flat on the river bottom and allow traffic to navigate over the dam without having to pass through the locks. This reduces delays experienced by locking through the system.
Delays ultimately raise the price of commodities which use the waterways.
The remaining dam will consist of a fixed weir section which will tie into the Kentucky shore. The capacity of this project will be sufficient to meet projected demands for tow traffic through the year 2025. Many important project adjustments were made due to the information derived from the use of these models. Operation and maintenance costs will be reduced. The new locks will operate more efficiently and will pass tows with fewer delays.