Hannibal Dam (Ohio)

Hannibal Dam (Ohio)

Hannibal, Ohio 43931

Also, see all the hotspots at:
Monroe County Birding Drive

Tips for Birding

At this location, the Ohio-West Virginia state line is near the Ohio side of the river. Birds seen on the other side of the Ohio River are in West Virginia. When reporting birds from the Ohio hotspot use multiple incomplete checklists as described below.

Ohio eBird reviewers ask that birders keep precise state and county lists. When you are at a location where you see birds across a state or county line, we ask that you keep two incomplete birding lists, one for each side of the border.

When keeping separate checklists for different sides of a border, please follow these rules:

  • For both checklists, the answer to “Is this a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?” must be “No“, because each list intentionally omits birds in the other geopolitical area.
  • Use your exact location for birds detected on your side of the border; create a personal location directly across from you on the opposite side of the border for the birds you detect on that side. (You can also select an appropriate hotspot for either side of the border, but only if it accurately describes your location on your side or the general vicinity of the birds on the other side.)
  • If you freely crossed back and forth across the border while birding, choose an incomplete Stationary or Traveling protocol for both checklists. If you could not freely cross the border while birding, use the “Incidental” protocol for the checklist on the inaccessible side. Do not use the Stationary or Traveling protocol for any lists plotted to counties, states, or provinces you did not actually bird within.
  • We recommend focusing on one side of the border at a time instead of trying to keep two lists at once (you will not be able to keep simultaneous lists running on eBird Mobile if you are using tracks).

About this Location

Hannibal Locks and Dam is one of six major river facilities on the upper Ohio River. An observation platform and visitors facility are at the lock site. The visitors center includes a unique wicket dam and maneuver boat depicting the history of navigation on the Ohio River. The area adjacent to the visitor area includes a public day-use area with picnic tables, grills, a shelter, parking areas, and restroom facilities.

Hannibal Locks and Dam lies on the right descending bank in Monroe County, Ohio. The locks are direct across from the town of New Martinsville, West Virginia. A private hydropower facility is located on the abutment side of the dam in New Martinsville. The project can be reached either by following OH-7 or by following WV-2 on the West Virginia side, across the bridge in New Martinsville.

Construction of the Hannibal lock chambers began in 1967 and was completed in 1972 when the locks were opened to river traffic. Work on the high-lift gated dam began in 1970 and was completed in 1975. The installation replaced three older wicket-type projects, Locks and Dams 12, 13, and 14.

The Hannibal project has a gated dam, one of the two major types in service in the Pittsburgh District. Gated dams are constructed to permit increased control over the water level in the navigation pool upriver of the dam. Machinery mounted on tall concrete piers moves large chains which lift gates that are hinged into the body of the piers. As the gates are raised or lowered to control the amount of water flowing under them, the upstream pool is maintained at a relatively constant level for an authorized depth of at least 9 feet throughout its length. The dam, however, cannot be operated to control flood flows. An incidental benefit derived from the pool formed by the dam is the availability of a source of municipal and industrial water.

There is a hotspot, Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, on the West Virginia side of the river. Also, restrooms at nearby businesses on the West Virginia side of the river.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

Content from Hannibal Dam