It is part of a series of dams that canalizes the Monongahela to a depth of at least 9 feet (2.7 m) for its entire length from Fairmont, West Virginia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District.

Hildebrand has a single lock chamber located on the left-descending river bank.

Construction on Hildebrand Lock and Dam began in 1950 and was completed in 1960.

[1] It replaced old Locks 12 and 13, timber crib structures completed in 1903.