Lock 22, Upper Mississippi River System

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ new 1,200-foot Lock 22 will allow a tow with a full accompany of barges to move through the lock without having to break the tow’s load into two pieces. Keeping a tow’s load in one piece minimizes environmental impact, increases worker safety and reduces transit times. The lock’s design is largely transferable to four other lock sites, saving both time and money. The existing 600-foot lock will remain in place and will become an auxiliary lock serving primarily recreational traffic.