Moore Haven Lock is now open
The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was able to re-open Moore Haven Lock to navigation on Sept. 23, thus making the Okeechobee Waterway passable once again from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
Crossing the state of Florida is now possible through the entire lock system as the lock maintenance was completed sooner than most recently anticipated. Repair of the lock had been delayed due to mechanical problems.
Repair of the lock was a $3.5 million, regularly-scheduled project, conducted once every ten years. The work included upgrading navigational safety equipment, improving manatee protection screen systems and painting and sand-blasting lock gates. The repairs must be made while the lock is in a dewatered condition, thus ensuring the lock, which is more than 70 years old, will continue to function safely and properly. Repair crews worked extended hours to ensure the repairs were completed and the lock was restored to safe operating condition.
Additional information concerning Lake Okeechobee and the adjoining waterway may be obtained by accessing the Jacksonville District web site at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil and choosing the OPERATIONS DIVISION tab and selecting the NOTICE TO NAVIGATION from the pull down menu.