Carrollton · US

Kentucky River Lock and Dam #1

Kentucky River Lock and Dam 1 stands where the Kentucky River meets the Ohio River, just four miles upstream from their confluence at Carrollton, Kentucky. Built between 1836 and 1842, it was the first in a chain of fourteen locks that made the Kentucky River navigable deep into the state's interior. Today, the decommissioned structure is a quiet historical landmark where visitors can walk among early American engineering, launch boats onto the wide calm pool, or simply take in the sweeping river views that once carried steamboats loaded with tobacco, hemp, and whiskey. Though Lock 1 closed in 2007 due to mechanical and structural problems, the site remains open to visitors year-round and is accessible 24 hours a day. The original timber crib dam and stone masonry lock chamber offer a rare glimpse into antebellum waterway engineering, while the nearby Lock #1 Trail and boat ramp make this a pleasant stop for walkers, paddlers, and history enthusiasts exploring Carrollton's river heritage.