DYK: Navigating Central & Southern Florida Waterways

Boat on Kissimmee River The South Florida Water Management District (District) operates and maintains 11 navigational locks throughout Central and Southern Florida. DID YOU KNOW: These navigational locks provide access to an interconnected system of waterways, including the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee. MANAGING WATER LEVELS: Navigational locks are used to manage water levels and provide boating access for recreational and commercial boat traffic. Much like an elevator, locks help lift and lower boats from one water level to another. They do this by controlling water levels to allow vessels to safely navigate through interconnected waterways. It takes about 15 minutes to lock through most structures, and the service is free to boaters during normal operating hours. LOCK LOCATIONS: The District operates five locks on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee and one (S-310) on the south shore near Clewiston. S-135 at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County G-36 at Henry Creek in Okeechobee County S-193 at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County S-127 at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County S-131 at Lakeport in Glades County S-310 at Clewiston in Hendry County