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Waterway/Lock Closures
Waterway/Lock Closure Listings
Brandon Road Lock and Dam, Illinois Waterway, RM 286.0
AGLCA Note: The USACE issued a stop work order on July 24, 2026 regarding this closure. Kim Russo continues to stay in touch with the Corps of Engineers, though, regarding the closures, their impact on our members, and a plan to hopefully get Loopers through smoothly when work resumes. We’ll share further details as they become available.
- The Brandon Road Lock is less than two miles below the free wall at Joliet which is a typical first stop for Loopers after leaving Chicago via the Chicago River or Cal-Sag. A good strategy may be to plan to lock through Brandon Road just before it closes at 0600. Then you can proceed as usual. Yes, that may mean leaving Joliet before first light to travel a short distance. You can even consider cruising up to the lock the afternoon before, as you arrive in Joliet, and leaving a breadcrumb trail for the next day. The sun should be coming up as you exit the lock.
- Another option may to plan to be below this lock when the closures begin. Please note that there are also closures planned on the Tenn-Tom, which means you cannot proceed past the Wilkins Lock (Mile 376.6) and Thad Cockran Lock (Mile 371.1) between September 9th and October 10th. To avoid both closures, Loopers would need to remain on the stretch of river between the Brandon Road Lock and the Cochran Lock from 9/20 through 10/11. This is a great opportunity for some side trip on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers.
Brandon Road Lock and Dam, River Mile 286.0 will have weekday (M-F) closures September 21st 2026 through April 28th 2028 from 0600 to 1800 hours. The purpose of this closure is to facilitate contract work for rock excavation in channel and wall construction of the BRIP leading edge located in the entrance to the lock approach area.
Mariners are requested not to tie up to the upper guidewall during this time unless directed by Lock staff. There may be times when work is not being conducted during certain periods indicated above and the lock may become available for operations. Mariners should contact lock for any up-to-date information regarding potential lock availability.
Here are the official notices:
Barkely Lock, Cumberland River Mile 30.6
Barkley Lock will be CLOSED to navigation starting at 0600 CST on Monday, 10 August 2026 through Wednesday, 30 September 2026 to make repairs to the miter gates.
- Traffic may pass by taking the alternate route via Kentucky Lock and the Barkley Canal.
- Contact the Lock Operator on duty via Marine Radio Channel 13/16 for more information or call the Lockmaster at Barkley Lock (270) 362-9131.
Tennessee-Tombigee Waterway, Mississippi
Notice is given to mariners that routine maintenance closures have been scheduled for Glover Wilkins and Thad Cochran Locks. The locks will be closed for 30 days to perform critical maintenance activities. The current schedule is listed below:
Glover Wilkins Lock - River Mile 376.3
- Closure beginning: 09 September 2026 at 0600
- Lock re-opening: 10 October 2026 at 1800
Thad Cochran Lock - River Mile 371.1
- Closure beginning: 10 September 2026 at 0600
- Lock re-opening: 10 October 2026 at 1800
If locks re-open prior to the scheduled date, an updated Notice to Mariners will be issued. For any additional information please contact Roger Wilson, Jr. at the Tennessee-Tombigbee Project Management Office at (662) 245-5500.
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
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. You may check lake and route depths at: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
Erie Canal, Locks E-8 thru Lock E-12
7/29/26-Mariners are advised that the Erie Canal from Lock E-8 in Glenville to Lock E-12 in Tribes Hill will experience a drop in water levels of 4-6 feet overnight tonight. Upper dam gates will be removed this evening and overnight, lowering water levels in the affected area in anticipation of forecasted high flows from the Schoharie Creek. Mariners should take appropriate preventative actions to secure their vessels.
Boaters seeking to move their vessels upstream of the affected area should proceed west, above Erie Canal Lock E-13 in Yosts. Locks in the affected area will remain open until 8:00 p.m. tonight to allow mariners to exit the area.
After 8 pm tonight, the Erie Canal in this area will be closed until further notice. Updates will follow.
Champlain Canal, Locks C-1 thru C-4
7/31/26-Mariners are advised that Champlain Canal Lock C-1 in Waterford to Lock C-4 in Stillwater announced as closed in a previous Notice to Mariners (7/30/26) has reopened for navigation. Boaters should use caution due to strong currents and be alert for floating debris, as some debris may be submerged. Boaters with larger vessels should approach bridges with caution as higher water levels are causing reduced overhead clearances.
Rideau Canal
AGLCA Note: This bridge is in Kingston and is between the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal. It will only affect those cruising a side trip on the Rideau Canal. It is not on the main Great Loop route.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has notified the public of an approved schedule for removals of LaSalle Causeway's temporary modular bridge, which will ensure navigation through the main channel into the Rideau Canal for taller vessels.
Passage under the east fixed portion of the LaSalle Causeway Bridge: Boaters with vessels under approximately 14 to 16 feet (4.27 metres to 4.9 metres) vertical clearance may continue to navigate through the East Fixed Bridge at all times, subject to current water levels. Two options are available to determine if a vessel meets clearance requirements under the east fixed portion of the LaSalle Causeway bridge, which is not experiencing any planned closures this season. The first is a physical water level gauge that displays the current height clearance once you arrive at the bridge, and the second is an electronic gauge, which is being reinstalled in the spring, that will make current clearance information available online for public access.
Use this website link for more details on opening schedules.
