Willamette River Falls Locks
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Willamette River Falls Locks
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Capture And Enhancement
Description
Still in use on the Willamette River, the Willamette Falls Locks were opened on New Years day in 1873, when the steamer Maria Wilkins became the first vessel to navigate up the west end of the Willamette Falls. Farming and shipping interests had long sought to eliminate expensive portages around an age-old bar to navigation 26 miles above the mouth of the river. The initial project was completed by the Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company with a partial state subsidy at a cost of $450,000. Five locks, including a canal basin and guard lock at the upper end provide a total lift of 50 feet. Carved from native rock and finished with masonry, the locks have concrete sills and are lined with timbers.
That's Mount Hood in the background...
Image copyright 2014 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
November 18th, 2014
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