Rokeby Lock #8 on the Muskingum River is part of a working lock system built in 1841 that continues to provide navigation along the river. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

The Muskingum River runs for about 112 miles from Coshocton County all the way to the Ohio River in Washington County – the seventh longest river system in Ohio.

The river is formed by the confluence of the Walhonding and Tuscarawas rivers in Coshocton; its watershed also includes the Mohican and Licking rivers.

A Wyandot town named Muskingum existed at the current site of Coshocton along the Muskingum River. The word “Muskingum” comes from Native American (perhaps Wyandot) language meaning “elk’s eye.”

By the way, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been peeved at sporting events and television weather reports that mispronounced or misspelled the word as “Muskegon,” “Muskingham,” “Muskingin,” or some other such mistake. Folks, it’s pronounced “Mus-KING-um.” Now, to return to the actual topic.

The Muskingum River Parkway State Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as the Muskingum River Navigation Historic District.

In its day, the system of locks and dams helped open the state and the entire Midwest to trade and development. It is one of only two remaining systems of hand-operated locks in the nation.

The system of 10 dams and 11 locks were designed to connect the Muskingum River to the Ohio and Erie Canal at Dresden. Opened in 1841, the system provided navigable waterways from Marietta to Lake Erie. Today, the locks continue to make the Muskingum River navigable from Dresden to Marietta.

The locks are operated at no charge for recreational boats. Ten of the 11 locks still function — the northernmost lock, Ellis #11, is no longer in operation but offers a campground.

The lock and dam of Rokeby Lock #8 has additional historical significance. On July 23, 1863, during the Civil War, a remnant of Morgan’s Raiders forded the Muskingum River at a point near Rokeby Lock as they were pursued by Union cavalry. Morgan’s men were captured three days later in Columbiana County.

The locks on the Muskingum River have a variety of amenities like picnicking, restrooms and boat ramps. Many communities along the Muskingum River such as Duncan Falls, McConnelsville, Stockport and Beverly offer recreational and sight-seeing opportunities for boaters and non-boaters alike.

The state provides public launch ramps at Locks #4, 5, 6, 7, and 11. Public ramps operated by other entities are located near Locks #2, 7, and 10. At Lock #7 on SR 376, a park picnic shelter offers an excellent view of the river, dam and lock.

In 2001, the Muskingum River locking system was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, and in 2007 the Muskingum River Parkway was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Muskingum River Parkway State Park Campground offers primitive campsites (no water, sewer, electric hookups) at Luke Chute Lock #5 (8 sites) and Ellis Lock #11 (19 sites). Ellis Lock campground offers water, picnic tables, fire rings and latrine. All locks also offer primitive camping to boaters. Camping is closed for the winter Nov. 1-March 31 each year. Reservations can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727.

If you can’t see the embedded video in your email, please use this link: https://youtu.be/3dPpnRDUb4k

Locations from north to south

Ellis Lock #11, 1390 Ellis Dam Road, Zanesville (non-operable lock)

Zanesville Lock #10, 1000 Hughes St., Zanesville

Philo Lock #9, 55 Bridge St., Duncan Falls

Rokeby Lock #8, 8911 SR 60 N., McConnelsville

McConnelsville Boat Ramp, 2555 E. Riverside Drive, McConnelsville

McConnelsville Lock #7, 698 E. Riverside Drive, McConnelsville

Stockport Lock #6, 3393 SR 376 S., Stockport

Luke Chute Lock #5, 1144 Luke Chute Road, Waterford

Beverly Lock #4, 413 Ohio St., Beverly

Lowell Lock #3, 7940 Muskingum River Road, Lowell

Devola Lock #2, 1154 River Road, Marietta

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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