In Pennsylvania,
locks and dams are located on the three rivers in and near Pittsburgh
(Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers). The dams provide a navigable channel
for river traffic. Locks are a means of passing vessels through the dams. The
locks in Pennsylvania are built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
At locks, the
lockmaster is in control and will signal your boat to enter with a horn or a
light system.
There are
priorities (of boats) set for safe and efficient passage:
1. military craft
2. mail boats
3. commercial passenger craft
4. commercial tows
5. commercial fishermen
6. pleasure boats
Before entering a
lock, the boat should stop at least 100 yards from the lock entrance. The
lockmaster can be signaled by the boater with a long and short blast of the
horn, on the
marine radio (channel 13) or with a signaling device on the lock wall.
Once the lockmaster has been signaled, the boat must stay clear of the lock
chamber until signaled to enter. Fenders and mooring lines (minimum of 75 feet)
should be ready. Once inside the chamber, the lock lines are adjusted with the
water levels. The boat must not be tied fast to the lock wall. (Life jackets
should always be worn.)
Light system - The
one that is flashing is the light to obey.
1. Red -
Stand clear, do not enter.
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2.
Amber - Approach the lock under full control.
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3. Green -
Enter the lock.
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4.
Amber/Green - Enter the lock with caution.
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