(Photo provided)

This undated image is captioned “Break in Muskingum River Dam.” The photo by Thomas Biscoe is taken from Harmar looking toward Marietta, probably in 1891. The break was the result of severe flooding that year.

The lock and dam navigation system on the Muskingum River was built in 1841, one of the first in the country. The $1.9 Million cost was the largest public expenditure by the state of Ohio at the time. It was designed to connect with the canal system that sprang up in Ohio in the 1820s. That lock and dam system allowed the Muskingum River – and Marietta – to flourish as steamboats became a major transportation force in the 1800s.

Look at the details in the photo other than the dam break. The lock chamber was on the Harmar side, where it was originally built. A new, larger lock chamber was being built on the Marietta side. Portions of it are visible beyond the timbers. Construction dragged on for 15 years due to sporadic funding.

Two notes on the lock location: First, Harmar residents opposed locating it there; it reportedly was a factor in Harmar’s decision to secede from Marietta in 1837. Harmar to Marietta: “you’re fired.” Harmar became a separate village but rejoined Marietta about 50 years later. Second, the new lock project was supervised for a time by George W. Goethals, later famous as chief engineer in construction of the Panama Canal.

Notice that the Putnam Street bridge had a different structure on the span nearest Marietta. It would soon be replaced by a swing span to that could open to allow boat passage to and from the new lock.

Several spires of prominent buildings at the time can be seen on the horizon: The original First Congregational Church is visible above the bridge span, then from left to right, are the court house, city hall, and Erwin Hall at Marietta College.

The dam break caused the river level to drop far below normal, as can be seen by the bottom of the bridge piers and dry land where a barge sits in the extreme left of the photo. Despite this disruptive scene, life went on; at the bottom left there are clothes drying on a clothes line. Perhaps they belonged to the occupant of the lock house which stood to the left beyond the photo view.

Fast forward to today. The 180 year old Muskingum River lock and dam system on the river remains in tact and operational for recreation. The Marietta dam was removed permanently in 1968 when a new Ohio River dam raised the water level. Fortunately, the riverfronts in Marietta have been cleaned up and are more attractive for all to enjoy.