Lock & Dam #8 is part of the Mississippi River's aging infrastructure

Crew from the tug Theresa L. Wood tie off barges to a recently installed mule and tow rail to pull the barges out of the lock chamber Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Lock and Dam #8 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

A crew member of the tug Theresa L. Wood prepares to toss a line after locking through Lock and Dam #8 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

A crew member from the tug Theresa L. Wood walks across a miter gate as it enters Lock and Dam #8 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The gate was installed in 2022. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

Crew from the tug Theresa L. Wood reconnect barges after locking through Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Lock and Dam #8 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

Gearing installed in the mid-1930s that controls a roller gate is shown Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Lock and Dam #8 in Genoa, Wis. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

The tug Theresa L. Wood heads upstream after locking through Lock and Dam #8 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

The tug Theresa L. Wood heads upstream after locking through Lock and Dam #8 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees Aaron Brown and Troy Frank stand near one of the roller gates used to regulate the flow of water Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Lock and Dam #8 in Genoa, Wis. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

Gearing installed in the mid-1930s that controls a roller gate is shown Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Lock and Dam #8 in Genoa, Wis. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.

A crew member from the tug Theresa L. Wood guides the captain so they barges can be connecting after locking through Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Lock and Dam #8 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937.