Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

[coreybv]

I have many years of boating experience, but it's all been on lakes. I moved last summer, so my boating is now going to be mostly on the upper Mississippi. There are 3 locks and dams on this stretch just within the metro area.

Any kind souls out there with experience care to give me some insight on what to expect when passing through the locks? Proper procedures? Etiquette?

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

Around here up on the Trent Severn, you will be directed to enter the locks by the lock master once the light turns green. Depending on how busy the lock is during that lockage, you could be told exactly where to pull up. Once your are in your position, loop your dock lines around the black cables that hang down inside the lock. DO NOT TIE THE LINES OFF. As the water raises or lowers, the lines must be free enough to slide up or down with your boat movement. Keep a watchful eye out to make sure your line does not get caught up. Also make sure that you have turned off your engines, extinguished any open flames, butt out your cigarettes. You must leave your bilge blowers on. Then when the lock doors open, it's normally first in, first out. If in doubt, the lockmasters will help you out.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

R.J. covered it all quite well. As he started out with - listen to the lock master. He is key to it all and has full control. -Growing up our family went though the Champlain cannal system a good number of times. It is really pretty fun.

 

[swift1]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

Its the same thing where I boat in the Rideau system. The lockmasters know their stuff and will direct the traffic. Give the larger boats as much room as possible (especially the rental house boats with the inexperienced captains - I've seen one or two of those end up sideways in the lock, and that's a mess that takes awhile to fix!!). When its your turn to enter or exit, you'll be told. Have your cash ready if you don't have a lock pass. At first it was a bit nerve wracking entering the lock without hitting the sides or another boat, but go in slow and steady and you'll be fine. It helps to have someone on board for assistance grabbing the cables to loop onto. At some of the locks here, people come from all over to picnic and watch all the boats come through and see the locks in action - I really enjoy the experience.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

Its the same thing where I boat in the Rideau system. The lockmasters know their stuff and will direct the traffic. Give the larger boats as much room as possible (especially the rental house boats with the inexperienced captains - I've seen one or two of those end up sideways in the lock, and that's a mess that takes awhile to fix!!).

Oh yes, I forgot about the rental house boats. I came very close to getting hit by one as I exited the Fenlon Falls lock last year. :facepalm:

 

[coreybv]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

Awesome info! Much appreciated.

A few more questions that my googling doesn't seem to be providing answers for...

What is the fee to pass through the lock? I'm sure this varies by location, but just ballpark numbers would be great. I've searched for this info for a good hour, and haven't even come up with a mention of a fee for the mississippi river locks, or where/for how much I might purchase a lock pass.

Also, how is communication with the lock master handled? I've seen brief mentions of this being done by radio. Am I going to need to go out and buy a VHF unit?

 

[canyonken]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

I'm thinking you are local to St. Louis. Chain of rocks and Alton dam are small boat friendly from my experience. The lock master cannot see you all the time since we are small. At the entrance to the dams there is a rope hanging low to water. Pull it. The loud speaker will ask you if you are up stream or down stream. If no traffic (barge) - you are good to go. You may have to wait a while for barges to clear. If you are alone - you might get lucky and the barge captain will let you share the space while they lock through.

 

[coreybv]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

I'm thinking you are local to St. Louis.

Nope, I'm a little ways upstream in the Quad Cities. Still, it's my understanding that all the locks on the river are operated by the corps of engineers, so the info should be applicable.

Any insight on fees?

Also, mostly just out of curiosity, on a "typical" weekend afternoon how much time are we talking to get from one side of the lock to the other?

I know I really need to just go to one of the locks and watch for a couple of hours, but it's just too flippin' cold and windy today. And I haven't noticed much recreational traffic on the river at all yet this year.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

If you're boating around commercial traffic, get a hand-held VHF at least. Keep in mind that the EFFECTIVE range is very short--a mile or so.

 

[coreybv]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

Any insight on fees?

I am curious on this too because when I lived there, there were no fees to use the locks. Maybe that has changed???

It probably hasn't. I haven't found ANY info indicating that there are fees on the Mississippi. I was just wondering if I was missing something because I do see mention of locking fees on other bodies of water.

 

[coreybv]

Re: Locking procedures (Think "lock and dam", not "lock and key")

To the OP. A radio isn't mandatory but it sure is handy and a hand held is pretty cheap. Of course having one for emergencies is a pretty good idea. $42 here at iBoats http://www.iboats.com/MR-HH125-1-or...****.389479489--view_id.370463--viewcart.full

yeah, I'll pick one up for boating on this river.

On my previous lake they weren't necessary, or even useful, really. But then again, I knew a lot of the frequent boaters there, so on pretty much any given weekend afternoon there was at least one other boater on the lake that I had a cell phone number for. Engine broke down one day, made a phone call and in less than 5 minutes was being towed back to the ramp. Only "fee" for the tow was to load my beer cooler onto their boat and join them for the rest of the day. I think they were just as grateful to have a second driver who could pull a skier as I was for the tow.

But, since I just moved and don't know many people around here, along with the fact that this body of water has big ol' barges on it, I'm thinking a radio sounds like a phenomenal thing to have....