Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project

04/14/2026

What does an 800% increase in efficiency look like? It looks like the new Chickamauga Lock.

🚢🏗️ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District was honored to host Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee District 3, and Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Adam Telle at the project site March 12, 2026. From the top of the new lock walls to the existing navigation chamber, these leaders saw firsthand the world-class engineering required to keep our inland waterways flowing.

Check out this video for their perspective on why the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project is a "must-win" for regional economic vitality and national infrastructure resilience.

Key Highlights:
• Efficiency Surge: The new lock will accommodate nine jumbo barges in a single lockage—an 800% increase in efficiency.
• Economic Vitality: By clearing this historic choke point, we are ensuring the flow of commodities to 318 miles of the upper Tennessee River.
• Engineering Excellence: This project showcases the U.S. Army’s world-class engineering and its commitment to delivering critical national infrastructure.

02/13/2026

Big news for Chattanooga!
The final contract for the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project has been awarded to C.J. Mahan Construction Company LLC ($192.1M).
The Goal: Transitioning navigation to a newer, larger lock that is 80% more efficient for the industry.
✅ 9 jumbo barges per lockage (vs. 1 today) ✅ Access to 318 miles of navigable waterways ✅ Final phase of construction is officially underway!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 13, 2026) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces the award of the Approach Wall and Decommissioning Cont...

09/10/2025

🚨 Chickamauga Lock Notice 🚨

Chickamauga Lock will have daily intermittent closures from September 15–25, 2025, between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM EDT.

✅ Normal lockage will resume each evening from 5:00 PM – 7:00 AM EDT.

For more information, please contact the Lock Operator on duty via Marine Radio Channel 13/16, or call the Lockmaster at (423) 875-6230.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this maintenance period!

09/02/2025

Massive milestone on the move!

After more than a decade in storage, 120-foot-long, 463-ton wall beams are finally making their journey down the Tennessee River!

On Aug. 29, we began transporting the first of 12 upstream approach wall beams by barge from Watts Bar Dam to the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project — a 7-hour trip marking a major step toward safer, more efficient navigation.

“These beams are a critical component... getting them to the site is a huge step forward,” said Project Manager Bob Winters.

Originally built in 2013, each beam is:
📏 120 ft long
🏗️ 10 ft high & wide
⚖️ ~926,000 pounds!

Thanks to incredible teamwork from contractors CJ Mahan and Barnhart, these giants are being safely delivered over the next few weeks.

With the upstream approach wall now 68% complete, the future of efficient navigation on the Tennessee River is coming into focus. ✅
Click link to read more:

After over a decade in storage, massive 120-foot-long concrete wall beams are being transported by barge from Watts Bar Dam to the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project site, marking a key milestone in

08/08/2025

MAJOR MILESTONE ACHIEVED! On August 7, 2025, the project team successfully completed the final mass concrete placement for the Lock Chamber Contract — pouring 233 cubic yards of concrete in this last operation.

This moment marks the completion of all 35 monoliths that form the lock chamber walls, each now standing at full height!

Since the first pour in 2019, the project has placed approximately 250,000 cubic yards of concrete into the lock chamber — and this final pour brings us one step closer to a fully operational lock.

A huge congratulations to the entire team from USACE and Shimmick Construction Company for years of hard work, dedication, and precision. 👷‍♂️👷‍♀️🚧

07/22/2025

Tennessee 600 lead by TWRA patrol. Going all the way to Kentucky lock over the next few days.

07/17/2025

Nathan Thomas crowding the chamber today. Headed to the gulf. Safe passages.

05/29/2025

🚧 River Work Alert! 🚧
From June 2 to August 29, 2025, Southern Marine Construction Co. will be placing rip rap (large rocks used to protect the riverbank from erosion and protect the shoreline from water damage.) at Tennessee River Mile 455.6 around Williams Island. The river passage will remain accessible; however, please exercise caution while navigating the area.

🛠️ Work will take place during daylight hours, Monday through Friday.
🚤 Boaters, expect to see equipment including:
• 2 large crane barges
• 2 deck barges
• 2 tugboats
⛴️ When not working, all equipment will be tied up either right at the job site or along the right bank of the river.

📻 Please monitor Marine Radio Channel 13 while near the area. For questions, call (423) 240-2401.

Stay alert and safe on the water!

05/22/2025

Progress on the new lock is coming along nicely. They have the gate on the river wall together and doing the welding. The first piece of the land gate is in place . The stairs and floors have been put in on the new ops building.

05/14/2025

Unfortunate event late today! Hopefully everyone is okay.

05/12/2025

Rainbow showed up after Bearcat finished locking up this afternoon.