Columbus: What’s Happening at the Stennis Lock and Dam?
Have you noticed the towering cranes and ongoing work at the John C. Stennis Lock and Dam in Columbus? For nearly two weeks now, the lock has been temporarily closed, sparking curiosity among local residents and waterway users alike. So, what exactly is going on? Let’s dive into the details.
A Routine Maintenance Closure
The closure is part of a scheduled maintenance process that happens about every ten years. During this time, crews are conducting inspections and repairs on the lock’s underwater infrastructure, which typically remains hidden when the water is in the chamber.
“We go in and inspect components that we can’t usually see,” explained a representative. “If we find any issues, we make repairs.” This maintenance process is essential to ensure the long-term functionality and safety of the lock and dam.
What Kind of Work Is Being Done?
You might be wondering what specific maintenance is happening during this closure. Repairs usually involve replacing older components with new ones. This can include activities such as upgrading grease lines or installing new anodes to prevent corrosion on submerged metal parts. These upgrades are crucial in prolonging the life of the infrastructure, ensuring everything operates smoothly when the lock is back in use.
So far, the work undertaken has been standard, without any surprises that could extend the closure beyond the expected timeline. “We should open no later than the 4th of October,” it was noted. “It could be several days sooner, but right now, we’re not expecting it to be any longer.”
Impact on Waterway Traffic
During the closure, many users of the waterway are feeling the impact. It was shared that there is close collaboration with the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority and the Alabama Development Authority to decide on at what times the closure will have the least disruption.
“We basically let them know in advance about the scheduled outage and get their input on the best time for everyone involved,” it was said. While there isn’t a perfect time to shut down operations, waterway users help dictate the best dates to minimize inconvenience.
Interestingly enough, there’s often a spike in boat traffic just before a scheduled closure as operators rush to get through the lock. “They build up on the back end. When we open back up, we might see a backlog of traffic,” it was explained. Luckily, there are no expectations for any additional traffic to pile up during this current closure.
Repairs from Past Incidents
A barge accident at the dam in June 2021 added to concerns about operations. A barge broke loose and damaged one of the gates, prompting further repairs, including a massive replacement gate that measures 60 feet wide and 26 feet tall. While some repairs have been finished, the major gate replacement is still on the horizon.
“There’s not any ongoing repairs underwater,” it was stated. “We’re tracking to install that gate next July.” The good news is that this installation won’t disrupt traffic through the lock. “We’ll be operating as normal,” it was confirmed.
