Lock Instructions

The Locks are in regular recreational use by both local boaters - fishing, rowing, kayaking, canoeing - and also by long distance cruisers heading for their favorite seasonal waters. The process is fairly straightforward with a few basics. First, each lock is managed and maintained by a resident "Lockmaster", whose job it is to insure timely and safe operation. As your boat nears a lock, contact is made with the Lockmaster over radio or cell phone. You'll be advised of lock status and given a time estimate for lock availability for your passage. There is a traffic light signal at each lock gate and just as on the road, red means NO ENTRY.

The green light means it's OK to enter through the open gate. Since the lock sides are stone or cement, you'll want to protect the sides of your boat by rigging fenders over the side.

Locks are equipped with holding lines, and boat crews snag these lines with boathooks and haul in.

Once the lines are in hand, then it’s just a matter of holding on while the water level in the lock is raised or lowered (depending on your direction upstream or down).

As you can see in the picture, the sailboat was heading upriver, so the lock was flooded to raise the boat to the upstream level.

When the lock water level matches the upstream level the upstream exit gate can be opened.

Lines are cast off, and the voyage is continued to deepwater Lake Champlain and beyond.