If you boat near any locks this might be of interest to you.

In the December issue of BoatU.S. Magazine (page 14) there is an article about a plan by the Corps of Engineers to reduce the usage hours at locks they manage to save costs. If you boat near any of their locks it might be worth your time to visit their website to see if any of your boating will be affected.

Go to www.boatus.com/gov/locks to view a map that will show you what locks whose hours might be changed.

This is going to affect us near Galveston. With all the commercial traffic in the area, this should be fun. Once they open on the hour, my guess is they will be open/working until the next hour, and so on...

Reduced hours of operation and even lock closures are definately being closely scrutinized due to cut backs in funding. This will affect all of us that enjoy cruising the inland rivers in this country. We all need to contact our congress representatives to voice our concern on this topic. If they know our (your) concerns this will be addressed. If not, we can and will loose this privilege...These were built and are operated with our tax dollars!

The issue of hour reduction will affect theTrent-Severn and the Rideau as well. Governments are attacking all locations Parks camp grounds to reduce cost.

The issue of hour reduction will affect theTrent-Severn and the Rideau as well. Governments are attacking all locations Parks camp grounds to reduce cost

Of course in Canada the vessel operator PAYS to use a lock, or tie up in a park to the seawall.

This might be self defeating if the public looses the ability to travel freely.

Hidro said:

We all need to contact our congress representatives to voice our concern on this topic. If they know our (your) concerns this will be addressed. If not, we can and will loose this privilege...These were built and are operated with our tax dollars!

Click to expand...

Hidro, Unfortunately these are operated by the Corps of Engineers in our area and they're pretty much immune from congressional action. They make a 'rule' that has the same power as a law but it doesn't have to go through congress to go into effect.

Yes, they are built and operated with tax dollars but in these days of dwindling tax dollars we're going to have to get used to cutbacks in all areas.

Sad to say, but the "travel where and when you want" days may become a thing of the past. Likely the biggest effect it will have on boaters is that we'll have to adjust our travel plans to fit their schedule, not ours.

GFC said it right! Last June after we put the boat back in the water after doing the bottom, etc, at Indiantown....we experienced delays at the locks on the Caloosahatchie side of the big lake....we missed on opening by just a few minutes....ended up waiting two hours tied to a piling and having a leisurely lunch waiting for the next opening....

When dealing with locks...now a days it seems that "planning" your day has more meaning than before...even with a slow boat...

Hi GFC The locks in our area are operated by the Corp as well. The Corp is funded thru DOD and as we all know our pres is cutting funds 10% now and probably more as time goes by to fund his other programs... However there have been many Corp plans (rules) that have been overturned or at least changed when local congressmen get involved. And the way that happens is to call them and voice your opinions. Dont get the idea here that I am some kind of radical, just a concerned American that hates to see our freedoms be eliminated due to budget cutbacks. I have close ties to the Corp and see how much is wasted due to bad decisions made by people in charge. Just my two cents...

they are built and operated with tax dollars but in these days of dwindling tax dollars we're going to have to get used to cutbacks in all areas.

Few tax dollars are actually being CUT.

The whining and moaning is about cuts in the GROWTH of the budgets.

Normally +8% per year , regardless .

JAT said:

GFC said it right! Last June after we put the boat back in the water after doing the bottom, etc, at Indiantown....we experienced delays at the locks on the Caloosahatchie side of the big lake....we missed on opening by just a few minutes....ended up waiting two hours tied to a piling and having a leisurely lunch waiting for the next opening....

When dealing with locks...now a days it seems that "planning" your day has more meaning than before...even with a slow boat...

Click to expand...

Your experience on the Okeechobee waterway really has nothing to do with cutting back on lock schedules at the time you crossed, but the Lake levels, which always determine how often the locks open. But the schedule has changed for "normal operating hours"...

NEW LOCK SCHEDULE, ALL LOCKS ON OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY, FLORIDA

1. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has announced it will change the operating hours at locks on the Okeechobee Waterway in accordance with a national strategy to standardize lock operations. The change is scheduled to take effect November 13, and will impact the following locks:
• Moore Haven Lock on the west side of Lake Okeechobee
• Ortona Lock near LaBelle
• Port Mayaca Lock on the east side of Lake Okeechobee
• St. Lucie Lock near Stuart
• W.P. Franklin Lock near Fort Myers
The new operating hours at each of the five locks will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

The changes are part of a Corps plan to provide consistent levels of operating service for all locks across the nation. The operating hours are based on the number of lockages performed at each facility. These changes are part of a civil works transformation process that will allow the Corps to deliver the best possible products and services to the nation. Information will also be updated on the link provided as soon as known.

2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Point of Contact is Mr. Aaron Kelly at (904) 232-2103 or email aaron.c.kelly@usace.army.mil

3. Additional information navigation bulletins on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District’s website at: Jacksonville District Notices to Navigation

Locks on the Columbia and Snake River systems operate on a set schedule during the summer months (~April to September). Recreational boats may lock upstream at 9:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Downstream lockages are 30 minutes later. During the other months of the year you can pass through the locks whenever you arrive.

Unlike the locks on most of the rivers in the central states, our locks use about 40 million gallons of water each time they pass a boat through. The locks are 86' wide, 675' long and have an average lift of 100'.

That 40 million gallons they 'waste' when they run a lock is water that's not available for salmon, so the USACE doesn't like to run the lock any more than necessary. Here's what Ice Harbor lock looks like from inside.

Not only fish, but really power generation......still a lock virgin......

Guru was correct it at least until now all of the proposed budget cutbacks are on future dollars. Having been involved in public and private business most of my life there truly are alot of differences between how the two do their budgeting and spending.

Hence why we are all seeing and feeling the pinch of governmental accounting more and more. One example is that they do not book their expenditures as they occur (public employee retirement benefits) or what we call "kicking the can down the road".

It certainly does pay to contact your congressional representative and relay your concerns in a way they can personally relate, as well as having local elected officials on your side as well.

Hence these budget proposals give us another reason to complete the Great Loop sooner than later.

As we all plan for the summer cruise, looper's take note. New hours on the Trent/Severn/Rideau/and Quebec canals. Check out www.pc.gc.ca for costs. But canals May 17 to June 20 Monday/Thursday 1000-1600. Friday-Sunday 0900-1700. June 21-Sept 2 0900-1700 Firday-Sunday 0900-1800. Holiday July 1, August 5, September 2 0900-1800. After September 2 revert to May 17 times with system closing Oct 14.
This means that for most of us we cannot get through the system in six days. So the seasons pass will be in order. Bill.

By the time I get back to the canals, time and schedules will be just memories...