WISCONSIN

Photos: Mississippi River lock and dam system is critical to economy

Site safety and health officer/deckhand Dan Burger stands on the lock gates as they swing open for a northbound towboat with barges at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn. A University of Wisconsin-Madison study shows most of the lock-and-dam infrastructure on the Upper Mississippi is nearly 100 years old. Maintenance on it is behind schedule, with an estimated backlog of more than $1 billion.
Site safety and health officer/deckhand Dan Burger stands on the lock gates as they swing open for a northbound towboat with barges at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn. A University of Wisconsin-Madison study shows most of the lock-and-dam infrastructure on the Upper Mississippi is nearly 100 years old. Maintenance on it is behind schedule, with an estimated backlog of more than $1 billion.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Site safety and health officer/deckhand Dan Burger watches turbulent water pass through a roller gate on the downstream side at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn.
Site safety and health officer/deckhand Dan Burger watches turbulent water pass through a roller gate on the downstream side at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance equipment is shown tied up at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance equipment is shown tied up at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jim Rand, chief of locks and dams, looks at the gearing installed in the mid-1930s that controls an 86-foot-wide roller gate on the dam at Lock and Dam No. 7.
Jim Rand, chief of locks and dams, looks at the gearing installed in the mid-1930s that controls an 86-foot-wide roller gate on the dam at Lock and Dam No. 7.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This is part of the gearing installed in the mid-1930s that controls an 86-foot-wide roller gate on the dam at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn.
This is part of the gearing installed in the mid-1930s that controls an 86-foot-wide roller gate on the dam at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River between Onalaska and La Crescent, Minn.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Deckhands from the Britney Lee lash together barges at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River.
Deckhands from the Britney Lee lash together barges at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Britney Lee pushes barges after lockage upstream at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River.
The Britney Lee pushes barges after lockage upstream at Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This auxiliary sheet pile closure (foreground, left) at Lock and Dam No. 7 was constructed because the auxiliary lock gates (rear, left) cannot be replaced. Without the sheet pile closure, if the old lock gates were to fail, the lock would be dewatered.
This auxiliary sheet pile closure (foreground, left) at Lock and Dam No. 7 was constructed because the auxiliary lock gates (rear, left) cannot be replaced. Without the sheet pile closure, if the old lock gates were to fail, the lock would be dewatered.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Fishermen find the downstream side of the lock and dam is a prime spot.
Fishermen find the downstream side of the lock and dam is a prime spot.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The tug Penny Eckstein enters the lock while traveling northbound at Lock and Dam No. 7.
The tug Penny Eckstein enters the lock while traveling northbound at Lock and Dam No. 7.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Turbulent water passes through a roller gate on the downstream side of Lock and Dam No. 7.
Turbulent water passes through a roller gate on the downstream side of Lock and Dam No. 7.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Best Dam Fishing Float is a for-profit spot for anglers where fish congregate on the downstream side of Lock and Dam No. 7.
The Best Dam Fishing Float is a for-profit spot for anglers where fish congregate on the downstream side of Lock and Dam No. 7.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel