This is one of the original pine "needles". As the bays of the Spillway are opened, a crane lifts the needle from its location by the hook, thus opening the floodgate to allow the River to flow into the Spillway. Note the metal S that was placed in the pine. Much pride and care went into the building of the Spillway locks and its simple, yet highly efficient design has worked almost faultlessly through the years. The structure is as sound today as when it was completed in 1931 and is truly an architectural feat.
In 1931 the Corps was truly a corps of engineers and did not contract out jobs as is done today.