Lock and Dam 20 is the second location within the Mississippi River Project to receive newly designed miter gates. The new gates replaced the original gates that had been in place since the lock opened in 1935.
Engineers applied the lessons learned from the installation of new gates at Lock 21 last year to make this install even more successful.
"Having one under our belt really helped it go more smoothly," said Dan Guise, Structures Maintenance Unit, Mississippi River Project. "We had a few minor adjustments but overall it went very well."
Due to the frequency of high water at Lock 20 the new miter gate’s skin plate extends up past the top girder to the top of the walkway to facilitate locking barges during high water.
The new gates are designed to have interchangeable parts that can be stockpiled for easy replacement and repair, reducing costs and minimizing interruptions to navigation.
Lock 22 will receive new miter gates in 2013 followed by Locks 17 and 18.