Locking Through on the Upper Mississippi River in Small Craft

Anatomy of a Lock and Dam

Roller GatesWater Transfer Tunnel

MiteredLock Gates

Auxiliary Lock

Restricted Areas600’ Above dam150’ Below dam

“Last Chance Lines” give you . . . A last chance to avoid going into the Dam. At Lock and Dam 15 they are under the Government Bridge. At this point you would be well within the restricted area. Turbulence above the dam can easily overturn small craft.

The restricted area below the dam keeps you away from the Roller Gates. In this area your boat can be easily capsized. Anything in the water here is usually held against the river bottom at the Roller Gates.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

Call the Lockman on duty using your Marine Band Radio on Channel 14. As you approach the lock, listen to channel 14. Only one boat needs to call for lockage.

You may also pull the rope behind the ladder marked “Pull Signal Cord for Lockage.” Pull it only once.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

2. Watch the traffic signal on the end of the lock.Enter when the light is green and you hear the air horn.

Red means . . . Stop, the lock is not ready for you.

Yellow means . . . Wait, the lock is being prepared.

Green means . . . Enter the lock at no wake speed.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

2. Watch the traffic signal on the end of the lock.Enter when the light is green and you hear the air horn.

3. For safety, put on your life jacket.

ALL Life Jackets must carry a “Coast Guard Approved” label. Your life jacket must be your size, serviceable, and accessible.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

2. Watch the traffic signal on the end of the lock.Enter when the light is green and you hear the air horn.

3. Put on your life jacket.

4. Put out your bumpers.

Boat fenders or bumpers will protect the side of your boat.

Scratches left in fiberglass or wood by the concrete lock wall are unsightly and can be expensive to repair.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

2. Watch the traffic signal on the end of the lock.Enter when the light is green and you hear the air horn.

3. Put on your life jacket.

4. Put out your bumpers.

5. Enter the lock at no wake speed.

The Bullnose, either upstream or down stream, is where your speed must be reduced to “no wake,” or idle speed.

If you do not, your wake will come into the lock chamber and create dangerous conditions for those locking with you. The lock personnel may have to leave the gates open to dissipate the rough conditions. This can take significant time.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

2. Watch the traffic signal on the end of the lock.Enter when the light is green and you hear the air horn.

3. Put on your life jacket.

4. Put out your bumpers.

5. Enter leave the lock and no wake speed.

6. Move to the last visible small craft line.

Small Craft Lines are usually spaced every few feet along the lock wall.

Lock personnel will make them available for all small craft in the chamber.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

2. Watch the traffic signal on the end of the lock.Enter when the light is green and you hear the air horn.

3. Put on your life jacket.

4. Put out your bumpers.

5. Enter leave the lock and no wake speed.

6. Move to the last visible small craft line.

7. Grab a line fore and aft – DO NOT tie off.

If you do . . .

You can be left hanging.

Locking through is a simple procedure with several steps:

1. Call the lock and request lockage.

2. Watch the traffic signal on the end of the lock.Enter when the light is green and you hear the air horn.

3. Put on your life jacket.

4. Put out your bumpers.

5. Enter leave the lock and no wake speed.

6. Move to the last visible small craft line.

7. Grab a line fore and aft – DO NOT tie off.

8. When the gates open, wait for the air horn and leave the lock at no wake speed.

Remember you are sharing the lock with other large and small craft.

Be courteous to all of them. That means you may have to keep your speed at “no wake” till you are clear of all small craft.

Using the Locks on the Upper Mississippi River makes it possible for you to go from place to place . . . finding the best fishing holes, beaches and water skiing areas.

Following these simple guidelines will make locking through a safe experience for every boater.