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
The District operates five locks on the Kissimmee Waterway.
- S-65E at Kissimmee River in Okeechobee/Glades County
- S-65D in Okeechobee/Highlands County
- S-65A in Osceola/Polk County
- S-65 on Lake Kissimmee in Osceola/Polk County
- S-61 on Cypress Lake and Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County
NAVIGATION NOTICE: Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that if current weather conditions persist and the levels of Lake Okeechobee continue to recede, the District will close four navigation locks on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee. This could possibly go into effect at the end of operating hours tonight, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Stay tuned for updates.
The following locks will temporarily cease operations:
- S-135 Boat Lock at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County
- G-36 Boat Lock on Henry Creek in Okeechobee County
- S-127 Boat Lock at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County
- S-131 Boat Lock at Lakeport in Glades County
If the water level in Lake Okeechobee reaches 12 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD, the S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. If the lake levels reach 11 feet NGVD or 9.70 feet NAVD, the S-193 Boat Lock will also be completely closed until specific water levels are met.
A CLOSER LOOK: The District’s Water Management Infrastructure Brochure features a detailed map of the regional water management system in Central and Southern Florida, along with key information about navigational locks, including hours of operation. The brochure also provides step-by-step instructions on how to navigate a lock.
We encourage you to visit SFWMD.gov/Navigation to get the latest information on navigation through District structures and waterways.