Lock & Dam #19 on the Mississippi River

This week we are in Keokuk, Iowa - where Iowa, Illinois and Missouri meet. We are staying just about 5 miles from the Mississippi River where there is a lock and dam. This is the widest part of the Mississippi River, we read in some literature here. So today we were able to see a barge being pushed through the lock! It was so exciting to see. First they make sure most of the water is drained from the lock. Then they open one side of the gate so the barge can come through. Then the tug pushes the barge through, the gate closes behind them, and the water fills up, which means the barge and tug are raised to the upper level of the river. Then the gate on other side of the lock is opened, and the barge is pushed out of the lock. This may seem like a quick process. It's not. We were there for over 90 minutes watching all this take place. And it was cold. And windy. But that's ok! It was worth it! We got pizza afterwards, so that warmed us up really quick! Here are some pictures of the progression.