Waterway/Lock Closures
Waterway/Lock Closure Listings
Lock Restriction-Single Gate Operation Chicago Harbor Lock
8/18/25-Chicago Harbor Lock will be locking with restrictions until further notice. The left descending, or southwest sector gate, is currently out of operation and repair timelines are unknown. Vessels who can enter and exit the chamber safely with only a single gate opening will still be permitted to lock. Vessels transiting the lock during single gate operations are to take every precaution not to bump into the out of service gate during transit. The following link provides access to all USACE Notices to Navigation Interests: https://ndc.ops.usace.army.mil/ords/f?p=107:1::::::. If you have any questions/comments/concerns regarding this Notice to Navigation Interests, please contact Michael Walsh, USACE Chicago District Waterways Project Office Operations Manager at 815-510-0361 or by email at [email protected].
Lock Closure Chicago Harbor Lock
10/15/25-Chicago Harbor Lock will be closed to all traffic on Monday November 3, 2025 through Thursday November 6, 2025 starting at 0600 hours and ending at 1800 each day. The purpose of the closure is to replace the hinge pins on all four sector gates. If you have any questions/comments/concerns regarding this Notice to Navigation Interests, please contact Michael Walsh, USACE Chicago District Waterways Project Office Operations Manager at 815-510-0361 or by email at [email protected].
Lock Closure Lockport Lock River Mile 291, Illinois Waterway
10/15//25-Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, will be closed starting Tuesday March 31, 2026 at 0600 until Tuesday May 19, 2026 at 1900. The purpose of the closure is to perform emergency replacement of the miter gate pintle sockets. Mariners shall not tie up to guide walls during the closure period unless requested to do so by lock staff. If you have any questions/comments/concerns regarding this Notice to Navigation Interests, please contact Michael Walsh, USACE Chicago District Waterways Project Office Operations Manager at 815-510-0361 or by email at [email protected].
TENNESSEE-TOMBIGBEE WATERWAY, MISSISSIPPI Jamie L. Whitten Lock, Mile 411.9
Notice is given to mariners that Jamie L. Whitten Lock will reopen to traffic, 3-OCT2025, at 1200 CDT after being closed for 30 days for routine maintenance.
Kentucky Lake, Tennessee River, TRM 22.4
The lock will be closed for scheduled wall armor and concrete repairs from September 22, 2025 until November 21, 2025. The lock will open on October 16, 2025 at 1800 through October 20, 2025 at 0400, to allow navigation traffic to pass prior to the chamber dewatering. The Barkley Lock is the more typical Looper path, but this may mean longer waits and more commercial traffic at Barkley since Kentucky is closed.
Interim Opening Schedule
Closure Status Start End
Full Sep 22 at 0600 Oct 16 at 1800
Open Oct 16 at 1800 Oct 20 at 0400
Full Oct 20 at 0600 Nov 21 at 1800
For more details, contact the lockmaster at (270) 362-4226.
CHEATHAM LOCK CLOSURE CUMBERLAND RIVER MILE 148.7
10/15/25-Cheatham Lock will be closed for 5 days in order to complete repairs on the upstream landside sector gear. The repair requires the sector gear to remain stationary for the repair to be effective. The lock will close at 0900 on 27 October 2025 thru 31 October 2025. The lock will reopen at 1700 on 31 October 2025.
Please contact the Lock Operator on duty via Marine Radio Channel 13/16 for more information or call the Lockmaster at Cheatham Lock by phone at (615) 792-4349.
W. P. Franklin Lock, Okeechobee Waterway
W.P Franklin Lock is open with a 26 foot width restriction until further notice. For updates, contact the Franklin Lock & Dam at 239-694-5451 or 863-662-9908.
Okeechobee Waterway
5/23/25-Notice is given that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is advising commercial and recreational vessels to check lake and canal levels daily when making navigation decisions. USACE is conducting RECOVERY operations, which involve the lowering of Lake Okeechobee to allow for growth of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and for the overall health of the lake. This is causing lake levels to be lower than typical. Additionally, the Corps may hold the upper pool of the C-43 canal, between the Julian Keen Jr. Lock and Dam (S-77) and Ortona Lock and Dam (S-78) below its optimal level.
You may check lake and route depths at: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (Mile 204.8)
Bridge Repairs - Santa Rosa Sound, Navarre, FL
Notice is given to mariners that the FL 399 fixed bridge protection system across the Santa Rosa Sound, near Navarre, FL is being replaced. This project starts Aug 29, 2025, and ends February 16, 2026. Work will primarily take place Monday through Friday from 6:30 am until 5:00 pm, with Saturday and Sunday as reservation dates. The following equipment will be on site for the project duration: a 120' x 50' crane barge, a 60' x 40' sectional barge and a 120' x 30' material barge along with small work boats and platforms. The barges, boats and platforms, at times, will be working in the main channel. Mariners are advised to contact the construction company, Soule Construction, LLC at least 3 hours before arriving at the bridge to make passing arrangements.
Mariners can contact Soule Construction using VHF-FM Channel 16 and at 850-520-0199 or 205-799-1149.
Questions may be addressed by contacting the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile Waterways Management Division at 251-382-8653 or email at [email protected].
