Wilson Lock reopened on July 2, ahead of schedule.
After some inspections revealed gate damage in September 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers engaged TVA’s Power Service Shops for repairs, highlighting a vital partnership in the region.
“This has been a major lift for USACE and our TVA partners,” said Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique, the Army Corps Nashville District Commander. “From the unscheduled nature of the outage to the high-water events and the custom-fabrication needs, the team overcame major challenges. I’m incredibly proud of the way our team communicated with the navigation industry, stayed mission-focused and delivered this repair safely and professionally.”
The main Wilson Lock is 110 feet by 600 feet and boasts a 115-foot-tall gate, making it one of the highest lifts in the country. With an average of 3,000 vessels passing through Wilson’s locks each year, a timely repair was critical to maintaining the steady flow of river traffic.
Corey Saint, general manager at the Power Service Shops, was part of the coordination efforts – from fabrication to installation.
Although the original specifications dating back to the 1950s were the main driver of the design, the Power Service Shops team used state-of-the-art 3D modeling technology and a new roller burnishing tool to bring this historic gate back to life.
“TVA’s Power Service Shops stands out as a hub of innovation, where highly skilled craftspeople deliver custom repair solutions that enhance generation reliability and support safe, efficient navigation of our waterways,” Saint said. “From complex efforts like the Wilson Lock pintle replacement to critical turbine overhauls, their precision and expertise keep the river flowing and the lights on across the Valley.”
