Warsaw, Kentucky, United States – On January 29, 2026, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District lock operators worked to keep barges moving along the Ohio River during Winter Storm Fern.

Personnel at Markland Locks and Dam used the secondary lock chamber to flush ice, preventing hazardous buildup that could threaten gate machinery.

This approach allowed the primary lock chamber to remain open, ensuring that commercial navigation was not interrupted despite severe winter conditions.

The coordinated effort highlights the critical role of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams in maintaining safe river operations during extreme weather events.

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