dam locks

R

redneck joe

New Member
Nov 2, 2008
164
Tennessee
Boat Info
1979 2357 Montego
2003 3500 5.9 Dodge
Engines
260 HP Mercruiser, new SEI outdrive
OK - looks like the boat is running. Fuel pump/filter on port and ingintion coin on starboard.

So - mrs has to open the call center in the morning then we are dropping her car off at Hales Bar and we will continue on to Guntersville.


Plan to run around Guntersville lake for a couple hours saturday afternoon to make sure all running smooth - then pack up sunday morning and head up the river.


The question is - what is the proper call to the lock master dude to get him to open up?


Also -I haven't been through locks since I was about 11 years old - I remember just pulling in an floating around maybe? Seems like we slipped a rope through a deal that held us to the wall as we floated up/down?

Course - that was west coast and we all know how they do things out there...

:grin:
 
open-sesame :grin:

I believe alot of times a phone number or VHF channel is posted to hail him on. But I would imagin you won't be the only one there so just follow the others. (I'm not an expert that's Chuck1 as I've not been through a lock be he has told me about it)

Apparently the locks are very dirty, you might want to have some throw away gloves handy, and have your fenders in place, But yea there is a thingy you loop a rope through. Just do what the dock master says and he won't sink your boat.
 
Contact them on 16 or 13 and they will switch you to a working channel. Nickajack dam/lock is one of the nice big ones on the TN River. Always try to contact them before you get there to see whether you are going to have to wait long. If the lock is full and they don't have anybody getting ready to come down, they will start dropping it before you get there. Make sure your line handlers have their life vest on.
 
Important!​
​
! A lock can be closed for several days or weeks for repair.
As part of your trip planning, call the Corps of Engineers in Nashville,
Tennessee at 615-736-5607 to find out if any locks are to be closed.
All locks on the Tennessee River operate 24 hours a day except the lock
at Fort Loudoun Dam that operates from 6AM to 10PM. All monitor VHF
channel 16.
Although lockmasters on the Tennessee are known for their friendliness, they
do enforce the rules. Cooperating with them will result in faster and easier
lockages.
The Secretary of the Army has established a priority for passing boats
through locks. U.S. Government vessels are at the top of the list followed
by commercial passenger vessels, commercial tows or vessels and pleasure
boats, in that order. Normally, locking through will take less than an hour.
But you might be delayed either by other boats with a higher priority being
locked through or by a large number of boats trying to lock through at the
same time. Be patient!
Stay in the navigation channel when you approach a lock. You can signal the
lockmaster by giving one long blast and one short blast with your horn, by
pulling the signal cord in the ladder recess near the end of the approach wall
or by calling on channel 16 that’s monitored by every lockmaster.
Obey the traffic signals. Flashing red means the lock can’t be made ready
immediately; stand clear and don’t attempt to enter the lock. Flashing amber
means the lock is being prepared; you may approach the lock guide wall but
don’t enter the lock. Flashing green means the lock is ready; you can enter
the lock. Also, the lockmaster will signal you to enter with a horn blast.
Remember that the lockmaster has full authority over the movement of boats
in and near the lock. If you willfully disobey orders, you could be cited or
even jailed for violating Federal regulations. That doesn’t happen often. But
when it does, liquor is most often the cause.
Be prepared. Make sure fenders are in place to prevent your boat from hitting
the lock wall. The person tending the lines must wear a lifejacket. Keep
everybody well inside your boat while locking through. For example, no one
should be sitting on the bow or swim platform.
Enter a lock at idle speed. If you don’t, your wake will cause rough water
inside the lock that will make it difficult not only for other boaters but also
for you.​

Once inside, you will be tying your boat to a floating mooring post also
called a bollard, recessed in the lock wall. There’s one way to tie up a boat in
a lock that works perfectly almost every time. Here’s how you do it:
Place two or three fenders so your boat won’t touch the wall even if it turns
at a slight angle. That means a fender a short distance from the bow, another
about a third of the way from the bow and the last one a short distance from
the stern. Then tie a line to a mid-ship cleat. Maneuver your boat until it’s
close to the wall and the floating mooring post is even with the cleat. Then
make two counterclockwise turns around the post with your line before tying
it off to the cleat.
Your boat is now free to pivot. As it does, the fenders will prevent it from
touching the wall. By taking two turns around the post instead of just one,
you will prevent excessive forward or backward movement of your boat.
Your line will stay cleaner because by being wrapped counterclockwise
around the post, it will come off the front of the post and hardly ever touch
the dirty lock walls.
If you have a smaller boat with no center cleat or if your boat has only a narrow
ledge along the side, tie a line to the bow cleat, run it the length of your
boat and tie it temporarily to the stern cleat. Do this before you enter the
lock. When you’re ready to tie up to the mooring post, untie the line from the
stern cleat, take the two counterclockwise turns around the post and tie off
the line to the cleat. You can do this from the cockpit.
Don’t panic and don’t get in a hurry if you have a problem getting your boat
properly positioned and tied up. Take your time and do it right.
You may be tempted to push against the grimy lock walls with your hands.
Don’t do it, even if you are wearing gloves. It’s much safer and cleaner to
use a boat hook.
Expect your boat to move around more when you’re locking upstream.
That’s because as the lock fills, water flows up, under and past your boat.
Generally, there is greater turbulence toward the center of the lock. When
you’re locking downstream, that won’t happen because water will be draining
from the lock.​
Important!​
​
Locking is a relatively slow procedure but resist the temptation
to do something else while it’s happening. Keep close and constant watch on
fenders, boat position and the line extending from your boat to the floating
bollard.
There are no regulations requiring your engines and generators to be shut off
during lockage. But because locks, especially the smaller and deeper ones,
are relatively closed spaces, you may want to turn your engines off to prevent
buildup of exhaust fumes. Also, it’s best to avoid all open flames.
Keep your boat tied until the lockmaster gives the horn signal. Boats nearest
the exit should leave first. Use idle speed until you are well clear of the lock.
Here’s a list of the locks on the Tennessee River including the Melton Hill
Lock on the Clinch River. Refer to the Cruise Section for more information
regarding approaches to these locks. All locks operate 24 hours except as
noted.​

LOCK CHAMBER NORMAL
DAM DIMENSIONS LIFT TELEPHONE​
Kentucky 600’ X 110’ 57’ 270-362-4226
Pickwick Main 1000’ X 110’ 55’ 731-925-2334
Pickwick Auxiliary 600’ X 110’
Wilson* 600’ X 110’ 93’ 256-764-5226
Wheeler Main 600’ X 110’ 48’ 256-247-3311
Wheeler Auxiliary 400’ X 60’
Guntersville Main 600’ X 110’ 39’ 256-582-3263
Guntersville Auxiliary 360’ X 60’
Nickajack 600’ X 110’ 39’ 423-942-3985
​
 
Chuck,

Just a thought. Those were nice, informative responses :thumbsup:. I did a search in the FAQ's (quickly), but didn't see this info in there. How about making a post in the FAQ's with this info (although probably not as specific as your second post since that was more directly related to the OP)? Unless, of course, it's already there and I missed it. Seems like that would be a good thing to have in the FAQ's.
 
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Sounds good to me, but I can't take all the credit for it. I just know how to cut and paste (Grin). One of the best books about the TN River was Fred Myers The Tennessee River Cruise Guide. It is now out of print, but you can get a copy of it in PDF format when you purchase "What to Expect on the Tennessee River CD".

The neatest lock I've been through was the Pinoplis Lock on Lake Moultrie. Short but tall and has a floating dock that you tie up to.


The Pinopolis Lock at Santee Cooper's Jefferies Hydroelectric Station was the highest single-lift lock in the world at the time of its construction. In it, boats up to 150 feet can be raised or lowered the 75 feet difference between the Tailrace Canal and Lake Moultrie. The lock is open from 1/2 hour after dawn until 1/2 hour before dusk year-round. No lock operations are performed during thunderstorms or when rough water exists.




Wesley or Jim if you want to make a FAQ about locks just let me know and I'll help any way I can.

Bonus question - Who is that in the picture?
 

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Wow Chuck.
That's a big lift. The only one we have is about 20' from Lake Washington to the Puget sound.
 
that was fascinating Chuck! I had no idea about any of this stuff and I can see how it would be very intimidating for a first timer! Definately should be in the FAQ's I think. Very useful!:smt038

Thanks!:thumbsup:
 
By the way here is a couple pictures of Nickajack lock.
 

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If you end up doing the FAQ, you could make it a general post about contacting both lockmasters and dockmasters. I've never contacted a lockmaster, but it seems to be the same procedure.
 
Looks like Mr SeaRide, Charley. :grin:
 
chuck1 said:
Sounds good to me, but I can't take all the credit for it. I just know how to cut and paste (Grin). One of the best books about the TN River was Fred Myers The Tennessee River Cruise Guide. It is now out of print, but you can get a copy of it in PDF format when you purchase "What to Expect on the Tennessee River CD".

The neatest lock I've been through was the Pinoplis Lock on Lake Moultrie. Short but tall and has a floating dock that you tie up to.


The Pinopolis Lock at Santee Cooper's Jefferies Hydroelectric Station was the highest single-lift lock in the world at the time of its construction. In it, boats up to 150 feet can be raised or lowered the 75 feet difference between the Tailrace Canal and Lake Moultrie. The lock is open from 1/2 hour after dawn until 1/2 hour before dusk year-round. No lock operations are performed during thunderstorms or when rough water exists.




Wesley or Jim if you want to make a FAQ about locks just let me know and I'll help any way I can.

Bonus question - Who is that in the picture?
Click to expand...


Chuck,

I would have to agree, the Pinopolis lock is one impressive sight and ride and so is the view across the lake when they open those doors!
 
I agree and I had never been in one with a floating dock in it.
 
I thought this was another thread about Mobella door hardware. LOL
 
....and here is Chuck's 240 CB south bound in the Pinopolis Lock. This is the floating dock he mentioned earlier.
 

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SeaRide said:
....and here is Chuck's 240 CB south bound in the Pinopolis Lock. This is the floating dock he mentioned earlier.
Click to expand...

Charley, are you sure that is not yours? :grin:
 
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