If the process they use locally is the same for where you are it is no problem. I am sure that it is since they are all run by the Corp of Engineers. You approach the lock and there will be a light along the rivers edge the will be red or green. Usually it will always be red until the doors are done being opened. Once the doors are opened, you enter the lock at a slow/no wake speed. Once inside, they lower a rope down and you will need to attach your own rope to the end of it. The recommendation is that you use a 100 foot long rope. They will pull your rope up and connect it at the top. As the water either raises or lowers you need to pull the rope in or let it out. Make sure you also have some sort of pole to keep the boat off the sides. Use bumpers also. Once the water is at the new level, they will untie the rope and drop it to your boat. Then exit when the doors are open. Its intimidating the first time. Good luck.

I lock thru about a dozen times a year at the Cannalton and Newberg locks, never seen the raising of a rope. We pull a rope at the very outside part of the wall, usully behind a latter in the wall that sounds an alarm to let the lockmaster know you need thru. when the doors open I idle in and tie off to a bouy mounted in the wall with rollers on it. You will travel with the water level and yes have a poll or paddle to keep from hitting the wall.It is best to use the side that they can see you from the tower in the middle. The small lock is usually closes to the bank. Only pull that rope once if the door is closed because I've seen them git upset at a guy once and told him "if he pulls that rope one more time he will sit there all day" Good luck and you will be amased A lso dont get to close to the doors as they are moving because the water is swirling inwards to the door

Sorry about that, Birdog is right, the levels look OK for now. Call on your VHF, Channel 13 (I believe) for the lockmaster, they will give you an estimated wait time. I don't think I've ever waited more than 1/2 hr @ Meldahl or Markland Dams.

Good Luck and sorry for the crappy link

It is either 13 or 79 or 71 to get them on VHF.

remember to keep the bumpers out and it is basically just tying off to a huge, rolling cleat snd sitting there while the water comes up. There will probably be a few pleasure boats in there with you....donot float infront of the closed doors when you are waiting outside as there may be a barge in there waiting to come out.

Have fun...do not sweat it, it is no big deal at all.

Allan

Same procedure that we have done. Word of advise. DON'T tie off to the bouy. Instead, loop your rope around it. These bouys raise and lower with the water level and on occasions get drift wood wedged in the rollers and the bouys will stick and not raise with the water level. If you are tied off to it and not paying attention, it can pull your boat under in less time than it takes to find a knife. By looping, you can slide the rope over the bouy if need be. Always watch the bouys, if they stop moving, act fast. Don't ask how I know.

Sounds like it is a little different where you guys are. If they dont redilly see you up here you can hit your horn once or call on marine radio. One thing that helps is if you are a regular goin through the locks, tie a case of beer to the rope on occasion. They remember your boat and you will get better service.

Here's what we do.

Call the lock-master on Channel 13. Tell them you are a pleasure craft and ask for upstream or downstream passage. They will tell you how long it will be and which chamber to enter.

Slow down to idle speed when approaching lock walls.

Before we enter the lock we put the fenders out, put the wife on the front deck, tie a long line to the bow, put a sharp knife within easy each. Wait for all boats to exit lock. We pull into the lock when the green light comes on and pull up to a floating bit. Take the long line connected to the bow and put it around the floating bit and then tie to a rear cleat. We tie it so that we can hold the side of the boat about 6" away from the wall to keep the fenders clean so they do not scratch the gelcoat if they roll. Turn the engine(s) off. We hold the boat out with poles, wife still out front.

After the lock level is raised or lowered, wait for the horn before proceeding out. Idle out past the walls or last boat waiting to enter lock.

Always wave at the lock tenders when entering and exiting and thank them on the radio when leaving.

If the water levels are down you might have to wait. I have seen them lock through on even hours only and sometimes on twice a day. We ran into the twice a day schedule at the lock north of Cincy in 2002.

Good luck and have fun.