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.

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

Construction on Morgantown Lock and Dam began in 1948 and was completed in 1950.

[1] It replaced old Locks 10 and 11, timber crib structures installed in 1897–1903.