The U.S. Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Motor Vessel Lawson visited Holt Dam, near Tuscaloosa, Ala., earlier this month to help with upgrades, meaning increased safety for workers and a reduction in repair costs. The spillway gates will also be more reliable. The reliability of the gates is critical to the lock operators being able to pass flood waters and appropriately manage the elevation of Holt Lake. Independent gate travel stops were also installed as an additional measure to prevent spillway gates from opening more than designed.