Schedule of Operations for 2007

Monongahela River Locks

1. TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is given for the seasonal schedule of lock operation for the Monongahela River, as follows.

2. Braddock L/D, Lock 3, Lock 4, Maxwell L/D, Grays Landing L/D and Point Marion L/D, Monongahela River will continue to operate 24 hours daily.

3. Morgantown L/D, Monongahela River: Effective April 1, 2007 through October 28, 2007 the lock will be open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., and Fridays from 7:00 A.M. to 6:20 P.M. Additionally, effective April 1 through May 25, the lock will be open Saturdays & Sundays from 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Then beginning May 26 through October 28, the Saturday, Sunday & Holiday hours will be from 10:30 A.M. to 6:20 P.M.

4. Hildebrand L/D and Opekiska L/D, Monongahela River: Effective April 1, 2007 through May 25, 2007 the locks will be open on Mondays from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon, on Fridays from 10:30 A.M. to 6:20 P.M., and on Saturdays & Sundays from 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Then beginning May 26 through October 28, the locks will be open Mondays from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon, and Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays from 10:30 A.M. to 6:20 P.M.

Under unusual circumstances, appointment lockages will be authorized for groups of recreational boaters or individual boaters, if an emergency situation warrants.

5. Except for the times noted in paragraph 6 below, commercial operators desiring appointment lockage during non-operating hours at Morgantown, Hildebrand and Opekiska must make arrangements at least 24 hours in advance by calling Point Marion L/D (724-725-5289 or 724-725-1283) between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

6. No appointment lockages will be made between 11:00 P.M. and 6:30 A.M. at Opekiska L/D, Hildebrand L/D, or Morgantown L/D. No appointments will be accepted for lockages that would occur during this 7-1/2 hour period.

7. As always, for this appointment procedure to operate smoothly, communications between the vessels and the locks must be continuous. In this way, neither vessels nor lock operators should experience any extended waiting times when unexpected conditions cause a vessel to vary from its scheduled appointment. Captains or pilots on the vessel should also communicate immediately with the lock personnel at Point Marion L/D when fog or other river conditions will delay their arrival. In an emergency, if contact can not be made directly with Point Marion L/D, the message can be sent through Grays Landing L/D (724-583-8304 or Maxwell L/D (724-785-5027).

8. Waterways users are cautioned that warning signs and pillar buoys will not be set until approximately mid-May. Since the navigation aids may, at times, move off station during the year because of river conditions, boaters must approach all locks with extreme care, especially when proceeding downstream. Everyone is urged to consult their navigations charts to be absolutely sure of the landmarks when approaching a lock and dam.

9. All waters immediately above and below each dam are designated as restricted areas year round. Boaters, fishermen, divers, and others are cautioned not to enter the restricted areas, as designated by the signs and “KEEP OUT” buoys, as these areas are extremely hazardous. Upstream of the dam, currents may draw boats into the dam. Downstream of the dam, backwash and turbulence from the dam may draw a boat into the dam, causing it to capsize.

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