Info from Army Corp of Engineers website: Kentucky and Barkley Locks work as a system for passing barge traffic even though they are located on different rivers. Kentucky Lock and Dam is located on the Tennessee River 22.4 miles upstream of the junction with the Ohio River. Barkley Lock and Dam is located on the Cumberland River 30.6 miles upstream of the Ohio. The two rivers are connected by the Barkley Canal, which intersects the Tennessee River at mile 25.3 and the Cumberland River at mile 32.8. Kentucky's lock chamber is 110' x 600' and has been in operation since 1944.