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Saturday the sun was shining for the Cape Fear Lock and Dam No. 1 Centennial Celebration.

The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Cape Fear River Watch partnered together to host a celebration of the 100th birthday of the Cape Fear Lock and Dam No. 1 in Reigelwood this Saturday.

Dana Matics, Assistant Operations Manager of the Cape Fear Locks and Dams of Falls and Jordan Lakes said, “It’s a big deal for any of our Corp of Engineers projects to turn 100 years old. It was finished in July of 1915.”

The event included volunteers assisting in the festivities. East Bladen JROTC Color Guard presented the colors. The North Carolina Aquariums, Cape Fear River Watch had a booths as others show casing indigenous creatures to the area and the importance of the Cape Fear River and the Lock and Dams.

Carol M. Banaitis, Piedmont Operations Project Manager with the US Army Corps of Engineers welcomed everyone to the event. Guest speakers were First Lieutenant Bryan C. Underwood, Deputy Commander of the US Army of Engineers and Kay Lynn Plummer-Hernandez.

The organizers educated everyone in attendance on different facts about the facility. According to the officials, two lock masters and their families lived at the site of the Lock and Dam No. 1. Each master worked 12-hour shifts, ensuring that someone was on duty at all times.

Barrels of turpentine, tar, pitch and rosin were shipped through the Cape Fear Locks and Dams helped make Wilmington the largest exporter of naval stores in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The groups also reminded folks the Cape Fear River is named after the dangerous shoals just offshore. The shoals were referred to as the “Cape of Feare”.

The lock offers a variety of recreational facilities and opportunities including a boat ramp, restrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and large picnic shelters.

Fishing is a favorite activity along the Cape Fear River. Visitors of all ages enjoy fishing from the shoreline or the newly constructed fishing pier completed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission at Lock and Dam #1 according to their website.

Visitors of all ages will also enjoy viewing the newly constructed rock arch rapids at Lock and Dam 1. Find out more at the lock and dame website.

Link the word website with this website: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakesandDams/CapeFearLocksandDams.aspx

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