[3] The lock and fixed-crest dam[3] were built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a part of an extensive system of locks and dams to improve navigation along the Allegheny River.

Bill Young Lock and Dam is located about 14.5 Miles up the Allegheny River from the Point in Downtown Pittsburgh.

2 has an average water elevation of 721 feet above sea level and extends about 7.8 miles downriver to Allegheny River Lock and Dam No.

[4] The site has six contributing structures, the dam, the lock, an esplanade, the operations building, a gauging station, and a lockkeepers house.

[6] The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 21, 2000.