River Locks

October 3, 2015
   It has occurred to me as we are enjoying this comfortable Marina in Ottowa, Illinois - Heritage Harbor while we wait for the Hurricane winds to subside, that some of my family and friends have been asking what it is like to go through the locks on the river systems.
   Rod and I as well as Harley and Ann spent about 12 summers touring the Mississippi River primarily in Wisconsin - so had some knowledge of what to do.  But the last time was around 1998.
    The Locks are primarily designed to help the commercial Barge traffic negotiate the different water levels on the rivers.  The water levels are lowered in the locks if you are traveling South.  Opposite if going North.  Pleasure boats - which we are- use the Locks after the barge or barges have been through.  The amount of time we may be waiting to get in depends on the size of the barge.
   So what happens:  Rod or Harley will call the Lock Master on the radio to get an indication of time  : for instance one Lock was a 4 hour wait.  Back in the day on the Mississippi we would spend that time waterskiing and basically having fun.  This is a little more serious.  Did meet other boaters which is always fun.
       When the Lock opens, it almost looks like a gate to the castle - a water castle.  We then either use our lines or the lock lines to tie up to the lock wall.  We have our fenders out to prevent damage to the boats since the pressure from the water level change will push the boats around.  We then hold the lines tight; girls on the bow and boys on the stern ( I don't know why but we have been doing this for years).   When both sides of the Lock are closed the water levels gradually are lowered.   We have been experiencing 35-50 feet drops!   An obnoxious horn blows to tell us to let go of the lines.  We then pull out.
   We have learned some valuable information so far:   The boat pushing the barges is called a tow.  It is an insult to call them tugs!
    By the time we reach the Gulf of Mexico in Mobile, Alabama, we should be Lock experts!
   And I might add that by that time, many of you will be experiencing a snowfall!!!   I just had to add that.
   Still haven't figured out pictures.  Working on it. Maybe by 2016😁