Wheeler Locks and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jan 26, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Okay - not such a good experience this time, but it's not on the staff. The main lock is out of service for urgent repairs. River traffic is currently using the antique two-chamber backup lock to lock through.<br /> <br /> It's very small, and barge trains have to be disassemble to get through it. Commercial traffic can be stuck there for DAYS. <br /> <br /> As a recreational vessel, we went through with one other yacht and only had to wait about four and a half hours.<br /> <br /> Staff were kind enough to let us tie off to the work-barges in the maintenance lagoon next to the dock rather than blow around the lake all morning.<br /> <br /> I'd avoid locking through until June of 2025 if possible.

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Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Quick, courteous service. Very smooth lift up. Like all the locks I've seen since Mobile, this one is well-maintained and squared-away in a professional manner. The approach, as expected, is well-dredged and well marked.

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Comment by: Janet Jackson on Oct 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Great Lock through Wheeler today. Lock master let us get right through even though he had a couple big barges on him. May have been a lucky coordination with them!

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