One of the most historic river locks in the country is once again open to the public. Primarily used for recreational travel, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has completed the reconstruction of the Beverly Lock on the Muskingum River.

“This reopening will mean so much for the boating community that has not been able to use this part of the popular waterway for years,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “These repairs have cleared the way for safe recreation on the Muskingum River while also preserving the remarkable history that dates back nearly 200 years.”

The Beverly Lock is located on what is known as the Muskingum River Parkway. This waterway features the nation’s only complete working system of hand-operated river locks. Built in the mid-1800s, the Beverly Lock is one of 10 that helped connect the Ohio River with the Erie Canal. The lock helps boats safely bypass ten dams on the Muskingum River from south Zanesville to the Ohio River at Marietta. They are operated at no charge for recreational boats.