Alma in Buffalo County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lock & Dam No. 4
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
1. Lock & Dam No. 4 Marker
The Corps of Engineers, United States Army
1932 – 1935
Contractor for lock – Ouilmette Construction & Engineering Co.
Contractor for dam – United Construction Co.
Contractor for electrical work – S. C. Sachs, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 44° 19.518′ N, 91° 55.11′ W. Marker is in Alma, Wisconsin, in Buffalo County. Marker can be reached from North Main Street (State Highway 35) north of East Cedar Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is beyond the railroad tracks at the lock & dam observation area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alma WI 54610, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Beef Slough (approx. 2.7 miles away); Minnesota Territory 1849-1858 / Wabasha County Takes Shape (approx. 6.7 miles away in Minnesota); Grace Memorial Episcopal Church (approx. 6.8 miles away in Minnesota); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.8 miles away in Minnesota);
this page online
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
2. Lock & Dam No. 4 Plaques
Major Rehabilitation
Project
Dedicated: 7 September 1994
Division Commander: COL Richard W. Craig
District Commander: COL James T. Scott
Area Engineer: Dean J. Peterson
Architects: Sverdrup Corporation
General Contractor: Lametti & Sons, Inc.
Subcontractor: Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Subcontractor: Commonwealth Electric of Minnesota, Inc.
Period of Construction: 1992 - 1994
Project
Dedicated: 7 September 1994
Division Commander: COL Richard W. Craig
District Commander: COL James T. Scott
Area Engineer: Dean J. Peterson
Architects: Sverdrup Corporation
General Contractor: Lametti & Sons, Inc.
Subcontractor: Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Subcontractor: Commonwealth Electric of Minnesota, Inc.
Period of Construction: 1992 - 1994
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
3. Visitor Area
Plaques in photos 1 and 2 are located in the left foreground of this photo.
Visitor access to the lock & dam is the pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks in the right background of this photo.
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
4. Lock & Dam No. 4 - Alma, Wisconsin Sign
Constructed and Operated by the
Army Corps of Engineers; St. Paul District
One of 29 Navigation Locks Between Minneapolis, MN and St. Louis, MO
Miles above St. Louis: 752.8
Maxium Lift: 7 Feet
Lock Chamber: 110 X 600 Feet
Dam Length: 1367 Feet
Original Construction Completed: 1935
Major Rehabilitation Completion: 2003
Miles Above Lock & Dam No. 5: 14.7
Miles Below Lock & Dam No. 3: 44.2
The pool created by the dam at Lock No. 4 is the longest in river miles (44.1) on the Mississippi River. Pool 4 also contains Lake Pepin which is the only natural lake in the channel of the Mississippi River.
Army Corps of Engineers; St. Paul District
One of 29 Navigation Locks Between Minneapolis, MN and St. Louis, MO
Miles above St. Louis: 752.8
Maxium Lift: 7 Feet
Lock Chamber: 110 X 600 Feet
Dam Length: 1367 Feet
Original Construction Completed: 1935
Major Rehabilitation Completion: 2003
Miles Above Lock & Dam No. 5: 14.7
Miles Below Lock & Dam No. 3: 44.2
The pool created by the dam at Lock No. 4 is the longest in river miles (44.1) on the Mississippi River. Pool 4 also contains Lake Pepin which is the only natural lake in the channel of the Mississippi River.
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
5. Upper Mississippi River - Navigation System/Tow Signs
Typical Towboat Information
Size......Average Length: 150'; Width: 40'; Draft: 9'
Horse Power....................Average:3,200 to 6,000
Cost of a New Tugboat.................$10,000,000.00
Cost of a New Barge........................$300,000.00
Fuel Capacity.............................100,000 gallons
Fuel Cosumption...................2,500 gallons a day
Waterway User Fuel Tax..................$.20 a gallon
Tow Boats Average Life..........................50 years
Number of Crew Members...............................10
Number of Days from St. Paul
to St. Louis..............................................5 days
Size......Average Length: 150'; Width: 40'; Draft: 9'
Horse Power....................Average:3,200 to 6,000
Cost of a New Tugboat.................$10,000,000.00
Cost of a New Barge........................$300,000.00
Fuel Capacity.............................100,000 gallons
Fuel Cosumption...................2,500 gallons a day
Waterway User Fuel Tax..................$.20 a gallon
Tow Boats Average Life..........................50 years
Number of Crew Members...............................10
Number of Days from St. Paul
to St. Louis..............................................5 days
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
6. Lock & Dam No. 4
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
7. Lock & Dam No. 4
Photographed By Keith L, July 24, 2008
8. View from Pedestrian Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,890 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 23, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
