The Old Lock 1 Park is located on the Tombigbee River in Salitpa, Alabama. 

This Lock and Dam is historically and recreationally significant to Clarke, Washington, and Choctaw Counties and to the State of Alabama, abundant in natural resources and wildlife, and is very important to The tri-county citizens, first responders, and all Tombigbee River Traffic.

In the late 1800’s, Congress authorized improvements to the Black Warrior – Tombigbee River System and 17 locks were constructed along these rivers, making this one of the earliest recognized federal transportation projects in the U.S. Each dam was numbered consecutively from south to north.  Lock One earned its name because it was closest to Mobile, Alabama. Work began on Lock One in 1893 and operations began in 1908.  Lockmasters and their families lived on site, but a 1953 tornado claimed several of the original buildings and led to the demolition of the remaining buildings.  Operations continued until November 1960 when a new channel was cut and by-passed it, cutting off four miles of the river so commercial traffic could have a better route. Jackson Lock and Dam - later renamed Coffeeville Lock and Dam was built a few miles North of Lock One as its replacement. 

Over the years, new dams have replaced all of the original 17 dams but Old Lock One is the only original lock still visible above the water line today. 

The last known improvement to the Old Lock One was in 2009 - a sign was installed by Clarke County Historical Society, and major improvements have been documented from 1999–2004 including a picnic pavilion, restrooms, renovated boat ramp, paved roads, parking lots, and a park host campsite. These improvements were made possible by a partnership between the U. S. Corps of Engineers, the Clarke County Commission, and the State of Alabama. 

But, for the last decade (or longer) the road between Alabama Highway 69 and the Old Lock One Park has been flooded, washed away, sloppily repaired, and flood waters have even totaled a few vehicles. Thankfully no one has been hurt because of flooding, yet. Road conditions, flooding, and little to no lighting on the road causes great concern for public safety.

The boat ramp area has little to no lighting and the ramp is damaged at a point that is usually just below the waters surface. This could cause damage to boats and other equipment, or lead to someone being injured.

There is no lighting or warning signs on the lock chamber and fences are damaged -  creating a fall hazard that could lead to serious injury or death due to lack of access/egress, high elevations, and shallow water.

The Old Lock One Cutoff has slowly filled with sediment due to fluctuating water levels and needs to be dredged because it is no longer navigable. First responders from the Tri-County area (Clarke, Choctaw, Washington - depending on where the emergency is located), and commercial river traffic depend on this route in case of emergencies and most know it is a “safe haven” if needed.

Hunters cannot reach the public hunting property on the Old Lock One Island from Lock One Park, due to shallow waters and large areas of exposed silt, or mud. But if a hunter tried to navigate it they could easily create a life threatening scenario by running aground, getting stranded in the mud or on the island, or being injured and first responders not being able to access that area by boat.

Old Lock One has been used by first responders, commercial river traffic, recreational boaters, hunters, and fisherman since its closure in 1960 but lately maintenance has not been kept up to ensure that the parks visitors are safe. There are too many hazards and dangers present in the park today to list and explain, but it is not beyond repair yet, and it has a lot of potential.

The park is currently a featured site on Alabama Birding Trails, is a known Safe Haven for vessels, and is part of the Clarke County Historical Society. Old Lock One is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the roads are maintained by The Clarke County Commission. 

Despite many verbal complaints, questions, and pleading to local public officials and the Corps of Engineers, we have not seen a change - but we have seen less maintenance and further deterioration. 

So if you want to help us create a better environment for Old Lock One Park and it’s surrounding areas, keep people and first responders safe, help preserve history, save this historic property, or protect the wildlife, PLEASE JOIN US IN SIGNING THIS PETITION. 

It’s time for us to speak up and make great things happen, before something bad does!