River, Canal and Cut

River, Canal and Cut. . The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway has three main parts. The largest section from Demopolis, Alabama, north to Amory, Mississippi, utilizes the Tombigbee River but changes and shortens the existing channel with dams, locks, and short cuts. From Amory a canal section using a chain-of-lakes construction extends to the Bay Springs Lock and Dam. The final section cuts deeply through high ground to the Tennessee River. , , Waterway Statistics , , Total length 234 miles (377 km) , River section 149 miles (240 km) , Canal section 46 miles (74 km) , Divide cut section 39 miles (63 km) , Standard width 300 feet (91 m) , Divide cut width 280 feet (85 m) , Minimum channel depth 9 feet (2.7 m) , Lock dimensions 110 feet X 600 feet (34 m X 183 m) , Material excavated 307 million cubic yards (235 million cubic meters) , , Operation of a Lock , , 1. Upper gates (D) and fill valve (B) are closed. Lower gates (C) are opened and towboat enters lock. , 2. Lower gates (C) and drain valve (A) are closed. Fill valve (B) is opened and water level in lock rises. , 3. Upper gates (D) are opened and towboat proceeds upstream. The process is reversed for towboats going downstream.