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.

The dam's upper pool extends about 13 miles (21 km) upstream to the Monongahela's source at Fairmont, West Virginia.

Opekiska's 7.4-mile (11.9 km) downstream pool is formed by Hildebrand Lock and Dam.

[citation needed] Due to cost issues, it was closed to weekend traffic in October 2012.

[2] However, funding from the Upper Monongahela River Association began in 2015 to cover the costs of opening the locks during the summer months on weekends.