Last updated: January 11, 2024
Place
C&O Canal Lock 75
Paul Graunke
Quick Facts
Amenities
3 listed
Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Toilet - Vault/Composting
Along the 184.5 miles of the canal are 74 lift locks. These locks were put into place to help boats overcome the 605-foot elevation change between Georgetown and Cumberland. The C&O Canal is like a staircase, canal boats traveled along the flat sections and used the locks to take a “step up or down” about eight feet. The locks typically had hand-operated miter gates that were simple and followed Leonardo da Vinci’s original 1485 design. Entering the lock was the most demanding part of canalling.
This is the last lift lock in North Branch and on the C&O Canal. It has a lift of 10’ (609.193’ above the first lock located in Georgetown). The original limestone used to build this lock, as well as Locks 72 – 74, had been described as “beautiful, of good quality, and in great abundance”. The lock was rebuilt in 1869 meeting the 1836 specifications. New gates were installed at the downstream end in the 1990s. On the other side of the lock is a bypass flume that allowed water to bypass the lock to water the level below.
Adjacent to the lock is a two-story log lockhouse that was reconstructed in 1978. During the summer, the lockhouse is open to view on the weekends, staff permitting.
This is the last lift lock in North Branch and on the C&O Canal. It has a lift of 10’ (609.193’ above the first lock located in Georgetown). The original limestone used to build this lock, as well as Locks 72 – 74, had been described as “beautiful, of good quality, and in great abundance”. The lock was rebuilt in 1869 meeting the 1836 specifications. New gates were installed at the downstream end in the 1990s. On the other side of the lock is a bypass flume that allowed water to bypass the lock to water the level below.
Adjacent to the lock is a two-story log lockhouse that was reconstructed in 1978. During the summer, the lockhouse is open to view on the weekends, staff permitting.