You’ve seen the Mississippi River from the St. Louis shoreline. You’ve driven over it on a bridge into or out of St. Louis. But have you been THROUGH one of its lock and dam systems? You can do so aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch upcoming Lock-n-Dam Cruises!

Passengers on this cruise will experience passage through Lock 27 at the southern end of the man-made Chain of Rocks Canal. Lock 27 moves more cargo than any other navigational structure on the Mississippi River. Prior to its construction, there was a 17-mile stretch of rock ledges that began just north of St. Louis and was extremely difficult and dangerous to navigate. Lock and Dam 27, located in Granite City, Illinois, fixed that problem.

HOW THE LOCK AND DAM SYSTEM WORKS:

All boats wishing to pass through a dam must first enter the lock chamber, which consists of two gates: one vertical lift gate, and four valves (two at each end).

“Lockage” is completed by using a system of valves to raise and lower the water level in the lock chamber. The filling valves are opened to allow water to enter the chamber, making it the same height as the upper pool, and the emptying valves are opened to allow water to drain out, making the chamber the same height as the lower pool. See the diagram below.

During the process, no pumps are used, the chamber is operated solely on gravity. This works much like an elevator system for boats, raising and lowering the water to adjust the boat to the necessary pool level. Without the locks, boats would face a drop of up to 20 feet. Learn more about Lock 27 here.

CRUISE DETAILS:

See and experience the lock and dam for yourself at one of the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch’s upcoming Lock-N-Dam cruises. Tickets can be purchased by calling 877-982-1410 or going online.

En route, dine on a lunch buffet of stuffed chicken, vegetable rice pilaf, roasted broccoli, bread rolls, and our chef’s special dessert, and enjoy a cash bar featuring local beers and signature cocktails. After experiencing the lock-and-dam system, relax from the top deck with a cold drink and the sounds of our Dixieland duo as you embark on the return trip to St. Louis.

This cruise boards at 10:00 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m. Upcoming cruise dates are:

• Saturday, September 26
• Saturday, October 3
• Saturday, October 10
• Saturday, October 17

Admission:

• Adults (13 & Up): $51.00
• Child (3 – 12): $20.00

The riverboats are located at 50 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63102. Parking is available on the riverfront levee in front of the boats for a fee.

The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are committed to keeping visitors and employees safe. Everyone ages 9 & up are required to wear face coverings. Guests with preexisting health conditions who are unable to wear a mask/face covering for medical reasons are exempt. For more COVID-19 protocols, go to www.gatewayarch.com.

Reservations are required by calling 877-982-1410 or going online.