Markland Locks and Dam
| Company type | Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Industry | Water transport, Hydroelectric power |
| Founded | March 1956 |
| Headquarters | Gallatin County, Kentucky / Switzerland County, Indiana , United States |
| Products | Lock and dam services, Hydroelectric power generation |
| Parent | Duke Energy (hydroelectric facility operator) |
The Markland Locks and Dam is a concrete lock and dam complex extending 1,395 feet (425.2 m) across the Ohio River, linking Gallatin County, Kentucky with Switzerland County, Indiana.
This infrastructure was developed to supplant Ohio River locks and dams numbered 35 through 39, following authorization by the Secretary of the Army on March 11, 1953. Construction commenced in March 1956, with the locks becoming operational by May 1959. Work on the dam itself began in April 1959 and reached completion in June 1964.
The Federal Power Commission granted a license to Cinergy for operating a hydroelectric facility at the site, which was subsequently acquired by Duke Energy. This power plant has a generation capacity of 81,000 kVA.
On September 27, 2009, a mechanical failure caused the 1,200-foot lock gates to "mismiter," resulting in a shutdown lasting 155 days. The lock resumed service on March 1, 2010, while the smaller 600-foot lock continued functioning with some delays during this period.