An extensive series of locks allowed passage along shoals and ledges in the river. After steamships were replaced by roads and railroads, the site of proposed Lock 7 was selected for a large dam to provide hydropower, flood control, and recreation.
The extensive lock system allowed ships to navigate around shallow areas in the river. Following the shift from steamships to other forms of transportation like roads and railroads, the location intended for proposed Lock 7 was chosen to build a large dam for generating hydroelectric power, controlling floods, and offering recreational activities.