Children of the River
Career Conection
Biography: Edward Foxworth
Edward Foxworth has been the Assistant Lockmaster for the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers in Lockport, Illinois for 21 years. He is responsible for the
general maintenance, repairs, personnel, and equipment operations of the
Lockport Locks on the Chicago-Illinois Waterways System. He oversees the
movement of barges and boats through the locks and monitors the commodities
and tonnage which pass through the locks daily. The Lockport Locks also
monitor the Zebra Mussels which are invading Lake Michigan, the Chicago
River and the Illinois waterways, and they monitor water temperature, wind
velocity and precipitation as a weather reporting substation of the National
Weather Service.
Mr. Foxworth controls the water level between the Chicago River, the Chicago
Sanitary Ship Canal, and the lower levels of the Illinois Waterway System.
He enjoys working on the water, and believes the rivers are the lifeblood
of our nation. Students and citizens can learn more about water resources
by visiting the Lockport Locks and the Brandon Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois.
They can see the animals which depend upon the water near the locks and
get a better idea of how pollution has a negative impact on Lake Michigan
and all of its related waterways.
Career Information
Mr. Foxworth became interested in the Illinois Waterway and the locks while
growing up in Joliet, Illinois near the Brandon Locks. He graduated from
high school and applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a carpenter.
He has taken about 15 hours in college, but most of his knowledge as Assistant
Lockmaster has been obtained while he was on the job. He learned easily,
works well with his hands, and enjoys working outdoors, so the position
of Assistant Lockmaster suits him well. It is necessary to have a strong
background in science and, if possible, receive a college degree in hydrological
engineering in order to know how to operate the locks and dams for the Army
Corps of Engineers. Mr. Foxworth suggests that the person should be a hard
and willing worker as well, as much of the profession involves constant
learning and requires outdoor work year round.
Biography: Tom Fogarty
Tom Fogarty is the Chief of Hydraulics at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
in the Chicago District. His responsibilities include participating in planning
projects and the maintenance of the city's waterways. He was instrumental
in the Army Corps' response to the recent flooding of a freight tunnel in
the Loop by more than 134 million gallons of river water. He works with
a team of engineers, federal and state governments, and representatives
of business and industry in the best interests of the city's development.
Career Information
Mr. Fogarty completed four years of college. He received his B.A. in engineering.
He then continued his education, receiving an M.A. in engineering as well.
He is currently working toward a Ph.D. Technical staff must have engineering
or environmental degrees, and experience with computers, in order to complete
the designs and construction projects handled by the Army Corps. Mr. Fogarty
also places much emphasis on reading periodicals to keep up with what is
current in the field.
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