Morgantown Dominion Post
January 11, 2004
UPPERMONONGAHELA River Association: www.uppermon.org.
Ron Rittenhouse/The Dominion Post
Weeds waving in the breeze mark the only activity at Opekiska Lock and Dam, on the Monongahela River just north of the Monongalia-Marion County line. Opekiska and Hildebrand locks and dams have been closed for the season and will not operate again until March. A local group has been lobbying to provide recreational boating hours at the locks.
BY EVELYN RYAN
The Dominion Post
Local advocates of greater river support for recreational boaters and fishermen say funding for a study of automating three Monongahela River locks and dams is a step in the right direction.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers doesn't have recreational use as part of its mandate. The Upper Monongahela River Association, based here, is leading a drive to change that requirement.
The Corps 2004 spending bill, signed last month by President Bush, contains $342,000 for the Corps to study the feasibility of automating the Hildebrand, Morgantown and Opekiska locks in West Virginia, Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, D-W.Va., said Thursday.
The association has deluged Mollohan and other key congressmen with letters and petitions urging that the economics of recreation on America's waterways be given greater consideration.
"Due to tight budgets and decreased commercial traffic, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has limited the operation of these three locks," Mollohan said. "The reduced hours are a deterrent to recreational boaters and prevent us from fully realizing the river's recreational and economic benefits."
The study would evaluate the potential of installing automation devices that could be remotely controlled from the Point Marion Lock and Dam, just across the state line in Pennsylvania. These devices would allow the Upper Monongahela locks to be opened by operators at the Point Marion facility.
As of Dec. 1, Hildebrand and Opekiska have been on a winter schedule -- closed through March. Morgantown operates from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, according to navigational announcements posted on the Corps' Pittsburgh District Web site.
When they reopen later this year, Opekiska and Hildebrand will be on severely restricted schedules, while Morgantown will continue operating from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
"It is very good the Congressman sees the problem and is looking for solutions, and is looking for long-term solutions," said Wally Venable, a key member of the association. "If this works, it's a long term solution. It's really just a question of cost -- and security."
Mollohan said, "My hope and expectation is that the Corps' findings will be favorable, and that we can then begin lining up the money that will be needed to put the automated locks in place. In the long term, such a system would decrease costs for the Corps and increase service for the people of our area."
Venable said the $342,000, if rolled into the operating budget, probably would run the three locks for three years. But that's not a long-term solution to local boaters' concerns.
"Locks are operated remotely in other areas and in Europe," Venable said. "The Corps knows it can be done. The question is whether it can be done efficiently and safely."
The Upper Monongahela River Association's mission is encouraging the development of river-based facilities, such as campsites and trails, boat launching ramps, marinas, shore-side restaurants and other facilities to support recreation, as well as re-developing the area's river-based commerce and supporting shore-side facilities.
While the Corps may be restricting use of the locks and dams on the Upper Monongahela (the Monongahela originates near Fairmont and runs north to Pittsburgh), it isn't ignoring them.
The Pittsburgh District Repair Fleet's planned schedule of lock maintenance work in 2004 includes these two stops:
* Morgantown Lock and Dam, April 19-29, replace land wall filling valve and renovate operating machinery. Work will result in minor delays to navigation.
* Hildebrand Lock and Dam, May 3-27, dewater lock chamber and repair gates and seals. Chamber will be closed, and no river traffic will be able to use the lock.