Navigation
Navigation Notice
The Buckhead Ridge S-127 Boat Lock on Lake Okeechobee’s North Shore will re-open on June 8 after being temporarily closed for maintenance.
Anglers and boaters may access local waterways from several access points through public boat ramps. Visit FWC’s Boat Ramp Finder to find one near you.
In addition, boaters should continue to exercise caution on Kissimmee Lake/Kissimmee River (C-38 Canal) due to high water levels. Boaters may encounter rapidly flowing water and submerged hazards. Boaters are advised not to navigate near the State Road 60 Bridge toward the S-65 structure. There are possible obstructions in the water including debris and floating vegetation.
In addition, the S-69 Weir is a new water control structure within the restored Kissimmee River floodplain that delivers water downstream to the C-38 Canal. It is located within the river between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad Bridge. It is approximately 2,000 feet north of the CSX Railroad Bridge. (27°20'39.9"N 81°02'05.3"W)
All recreators are advised to remain at least 1,500 feet away from the weir at all times. To bypass the weir, recreators should stay in the main Kissimmee River Channel and not deviate from the existing channel. With high river levels, the S-69 Weir may be difficult to see on the Kissimmee River. There are fast water conditions upstream of the weir and large volumes of water can quickly pull watercraft towards the structure in a matter of seconds. Water flow can also pull watercraft/swimmers and drag them below the water with such force they cannot escape.
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee offer some of the best boating and fishing opportunities in Central and South Florida. Navigation locks throughout this interconnected system ensure that it is accessible by the public for recreation.
Along the route, there are 11 locks maintained by the South Florida Water Management District and five maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
It takes about 15 minutes to lock through most structures. This service is free to boaters locking through during normal operating hours.
Navigation Lock Types
SFWMD Navigation Locks on Lake Okeechobee
The District operates five locks on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee and one (S-310) on the south shore near Clewiston. Below are normal operating hours for each lock.
Lock NumberLocationCountyHours
| S-135 | J&S Fish Camp | Martin | Oct. 1 - April 30: 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. May 1 - Sept. 30: 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| G-36 | Henry Creek | Okeechobee | Oct. 1 - April 30: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1 - Sept. 30: 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| S-193 | Taylor Creek | Okeechobee | Dec. 1 - April 30: 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. May 1 - Nov. 30: 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4: 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| S-127 | Buckhead Ridge | Glades | Oct. 1 - April 30: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1 - Sept. 30: 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| S-131 | Lakeport | Glades | Oct. 1 - April 30: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1 - Sept. 30: 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| S-310 | Clewiston | Hendry | Oct. 1 - April 30: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1 - Sept. 30: 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
A map with lock locations on Lake Okeechobee and instructions on how to move through the locks are in the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail & Okeechobee Waterway brochure. Use Frequency 16 on Lake Okeechobee for boating emergencies only.
Contacts:
- For SFWMD lock operations, contact Advanced Design & Construction Corp., Lock Tender Division, at (863) 532-8042.
For more information:
SFWMD Navigation Locks on the Kissimmee Waterway
All SFWMD locks on the Kissimmee River and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes are operated from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays year-round. Hours of operation on weekends are from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from March 1 through Oct. 31 and 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Nov. 1 through Feb. 28.
- S-65E at Kissimmee River, 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
A map with lock locations is in the Guide to the Kissimmee Waterway brochure.
Contacts:
- For SFWMD lock operations, contact Advanced Design & Construction Corp., Lock Tender Division, at (863) 532-8042.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Locks on the Okeechobee Waterway
The Okeechobee Waterway stretches 154 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Stuart to the Gulf of Mexico at Fort Myers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates these five navigation locks on the waterway:
- S-77, S-78 and S-79, Fort Myers to Moore Haven, Caloosahatchee River
- S-80 and S-308, Port Mayaca to Stuart, St. Lucie River
The Corps posts information about Okeechobee Waterway navigation locks on its website. Navigation notices from the Corps are also available online.
Contacts:
- For information about the Okeechobee Waterway, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Operations Office, at (863) 983-8101.