By Reid Forgrave
Enquirer staff writer

CHILO - There soon will be a new attraction on the scenic byway,U.S. 52.

The Clermont County Park District is renovating the historic powerhouse at the Chilo Lock No. 34 Park into a museum of Ohio River history and a visitors center for tourists driving U.S. 52, southern Ohio's slow but scenic route along the Ohio River.

The county park board will break ground for the $1.3 million renovation project - which includes restoring the powerhouse that operated the lock and dam - today at 1 p.m.

"With 52 as a travel byway, this will serve as an introduction for the region," said Chris Clingman, director of the Clermont County Park District.

"It will only improve tourism in the area."

The museum will focus on living and working on the Ohio River, as well as how the old dams - which made possible year-round navigation of the Ohio River - functioned.

The nine-month renovation project is funded by federal, state and county money, including a Federal Highway Administration National Scenic Byways grant. The anticipated opening date is next spring.

The Army Corps of Engineers originally built 54 locks and dams along the Ohio River in the 1920s, but those "wicket dams" were replaced by more up-to-date locks and dams in the 1960s.

The main entrance for Chilo Lock No. 34 Park is just east of Chilo on U.S. 52.

"The museum highlights an important part of Clermont County's history - the Ohio River," Clingman said. "And the park is a hidden jewel. Most people don't know about this beautiful park, so we hope this will attract more people."

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E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com