Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that the South Florida Water Management District (District) will close certain boat locks at the end of their normal operating hours tonight, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. 

Water levels in Lake Okeechobee are expected to fall below 12 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD. The following boat locks will temporarily cease operations and they will be closed to navigation until specific water levels are met. 

Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that if current weather conditions persist and the levels of Lake Okeechobee continue to recede, the South Florida Water Management District (District) will close four navigation locks on the north shore for safety reasons.

If the water level in Lake Okeechobee drops below 12 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD, the following locks will be completely closed to navigation 24 hours a day/7 days a week. 

As of today, Friday, April 11, 2025, Lake Okeechobee is at 12.21 feet NGVD or 10.90 feet NAVD.

The S-65A Boat Lock on the Kissimmee River in Polk County will temporarily close next week for a routine inspection.

The boat lock will close at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025, and will remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans. 

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

The boat lock will close at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2025, and will remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans. 

The S-127 Boat Lock in Glades County will reopen to navigation on Thursday, February 13, at 5:30 a.m. The boat lock was closed for maintenance. The boat lock will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To get the latest information on navigation through SFWMD structures and waterways, visit SFWMD.gov/Navigation and follow SFWMD on Facebook and X. 

The S-61 Boat Lock in Osceola County will temporarily close next week for a routine inspection. 

The boat lock will close at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 and will remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Friday Feb. 7, 2025. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans. 

The S-127 Boat Lock in Okeechobee County will be temporarily closed starting Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7:30 a.m. until further notice. The boat lock will be closed for maintenance. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans. 

To get the latest information on navigation through SFWMD structures and waterways, visit SFWMD.gov/Navigation and follow SFWMD on Facebook and X. 

The S-65D Boat Lock on the Kissimmee River in Okeechobee County will temporarily close next week for a routine inspection.

The boat lock will close at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, and will remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans. 

The S-65E Boat Lock on the Kissimmee River in Okeechobee County will temporarily close next week for a routine inspection. 

The boat lock will close at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday Jan. 15, 2025 and will remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Friday Jan. 17, 2025. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans.

The S-131 Boat Lock at Lake Port in Glades County is temporarily closed until further notice for maintenance.

To get the latest information on navigation through SFWMD structures and waterways, visit SFWMD.gov/Navigation and follow SFWMD on Facebook and Twitter.