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Lock & Dam 53 - New Mooring Cells and Demolition Planning

Lock and Dam 53, owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is located on the Ohio River. Modernization of the facilities at Lock and Dam 53 was authorized under the provisions of the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 3, 1909 and was constructed in 1929. With the new Olmsted Locks and Dam immediately downstream, Lock and Dam 53 is planned for demolition.

Our team completed two geotechnical investigations and laboratory testing for the USACE Louisville District at Lock and Dam 53, both from floating plants within the Ohio River. In January 2017, we performed a geotechnical investigation and completed laboratory testing to support the design of mooring cells downstream of Lock and Dam 53. To evaluate the existing condition of the lock walls and cells as part of Lock and Dam 53 demolition, we completed 2 borings within the 600-foot auxiliary lock concrete wall and 8 borings in the 1,200-foot main lock. The borings were performed from a floating plant provided by the Olmsted Lock and Dam contractor.

Despite a high river level, poor weather, and conditions that made drilling difficult, our team completed the projects within the schedule and budget.