Kentucky River Locks and Dams

Before the dawn of the automobile and the first-rate railroad, the Kentucky River was the primary route of access to locations in central Kentucky. At one point, the river was fully navigable from the Ohio River at Carrollton to Beattyville, with fourteen locks and dams providing safe passage for passengers and freight alike.(1) In 1986, the Kentucky River Authority was established by the Kentucky General Assembly (2) to take over operation of locks 5 through 14 from the United States Corps of Engineers; they were subsequently closed and sealed with concrete barriers. Only the first four locks from Carrollton to Frankfort remain in operation.

Gallery

Lock 6

9 Photos

Lock 7

4 Photos

Lock 8

3 Photos

Further Reading

1. Kentucky River Authority

Sources

1. Jenior, Pete. “Kentucky River Lock and Dam Guide.” March 9, 2007 Article.
2. “Kentucky River Authority.” Kentucky Finance Cabinet. March 9, 2007 Article.