MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown, Hildebrand and Opekiska locks on the Monongahela River are open for the Memorial Day weekend.
After severe declines in river traffic over 2 decades, the Army Corps of Engineers closed the locks.
“The Corps has reduced service. The Clean Air Act reduced shipments of coal through Opekiska and Hildebrand,” explained Barry Pallay, Upper Monongahela River Association President.
The Upper Monongahela River Association, with support of Marion and Monongalia County commissions and CVB’s and the cities of Morgantown, Fairmont, Westover, Granville, help cover the cost to open the locks periodically in the summer.
“We’ve all teamed together to provide funds to pay the Corps to reopen the locks,” said Pallay. “This is part of our greater effort to grow commerce and recreation on the upper Mon. River.”
The goal this year is to have them open 28 days.
All three locks are open for the Three Rivers Festival from 7 – 4 this weekend and again June 4 and 5 for a fishing tournament.
Tim Mitchem is the President of Bass Nation of WV.
“Your average bass fisherman when he comes in, he’s buying gas. He’s buying food. He’s staying at hotels. He’s buying fishing equipment, lures, eating at the restaurants,” Mitchem shared.
Tournament organizers said last year, contestants contributed more than $100,000 to the local economy over a 6-day tournament.
“There will be another one here this year in Morgantown. That’s probably going to originate a hundred or so thousand. But, just the local events themselves, we have one June 4 and 5, it’ll probably bring $25,000 to the area,” estimated Mitchem who is also a board member of the Upper Monongahela River Association.
The locks schedule is on the Army Corps of Engineers website or wvbassnation.org.
Beginning in June, the Hildebrand and Opekiska locks will be open on occasional weekends.