The S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will re-open this weekend. The boat lock will be open on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Moving forward, the boat lock will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends but will remain closed on weekdays (Mondays-Fridays) until further notice.

The boat lock was temporarily closed for safety after the water level in Lake Okeechobee dropped below 11 feet NGVD or 9.70 feet NAVD.

Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that the S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will temporarily close tonight, Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 9:00 p.m., after today's normal operating hours. 

The water level in Lake Okeechobee dropped below 11 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD, which means that this boat lock will remain closed to navigation for safety purposes until specific water levels are met. 

The S-65 Boat Lock on Lake Kissimmee in Osceola County near the Polk County line will temporarily close next week for routine maintenance.

The boat lock will close at 7:30 p.m. after its normal operating hours on Sunday, June 14, 2026, and will re-open at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans. 

The South Florida Water Management District (District) reminds boaters to exercise caution and practice safe boating during the upcoming holiday weekend.

Safety Reminders
Holiday weekends are traditionally a time of increased traffic on South Florida’s waterways. Boaters are encouraged to follow safe boating practices:

Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that multiple navigational locks on Lake Okeechobee's north shore will temporarily close at the end of their operating hours tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. As the lake continues to recede, these locks are closing for safety purposes. 

Per the navigation notice that was sent out on February 27, 2026, the water level in Lake Okeechobee dropped below 12 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD and the following locks will be completely closed to navigation 24 hours a day / 7 days a week until specific water levels are met. 

Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that if current dry conditions persist and the levels of Lake Okeechobee continue to recede, the South Florida Water Management District will close or alter the operations of multiple navigational locks on Lake Okeechobee's north shore. 

As of today, Friday, February 27, 2026, the water level in Lake Okeechobee is 12.26 feet NGVD or 10.97 feet NAVD. 

The G-36 Boat Lock at Henry Creek in Okeechobee County on Lake Okeechobee's North Shore will temporarily close for routine maintenance next week. The boat lock will close on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. and is expected to re-open at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025. 

Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans.

Anglers and boaters may access local waterways through other public boat ramps. Visit FWC Boat Ramp Finder to find one near you.

Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that there are multiple boat locks that are re-opening on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee starting Saturday, September 6, 2025. The locks will be open every day of the week. 

• S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County

Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that starting on Saturday, July 19, 2025, the S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will re-open on weekends only. 

The hours of operation will be 5:30 a.m-10:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The boat lock will remain closed to navigation during the week until specific water levels are met. 

Anglers and boaters may also access local waterways through other public boat ramps. Visit FWC Boat Ramp Finder to find one near you.

Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that starting on Saturday, May 31, 2025, the S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will be closed on weekends. The boat lock was already closed to navigation during the week. 

The boat lock is closed because Lake Okeechobee water levels dropped below 11 feet NGVD or 9.70 feet NAVD. The boat lock will re-open to navigation as soon as specific water levels are met.