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The Fox Locks pre-date the Civil War, so there is a large body of historical information on the system. We are lucky to have an amateur historian on staff, and these are excerpts from Scott Thompson’s greater research into the system.

A brief history of boats cruising the Fox

A boat built for combat was hauling logs from Canada on the lock system after WWII. According to an article in the Appleton Post Crescent from Sept 28, 1946, the PlusWood Company purchased such a craft. The LCT (Landing Craft -Tanks) was perhaps built for beach landings in Europe towards the end of WWII, but was never used in combat. 

You can see the PlusWood working its way through the Kaukauna Locks in the photo below. We believe the view is downstream towards Lock #2 with a view of the lock tender house on the left side of the canal. Not many photos available of that house!

The history of the locks is intertwined with the boats that cruised the Fox River. In 1891, the tugboat christened as, “U.S. Lake Survey No. 1”, was soon renamed to honor Gouverneur Kemble Warren who was a civil engineer and Army general who fought at Gettysburg during the Civil War. The General G.K. Warren tug worked the lower Fox River and canals until 1920.

A few historical documents tell a story about the people working on these boats and what life on the river was like. A checklist of “Serviceable Engineer Property” was created when the General GK Warren tug was delivered to Kaukauna in 1892.  The variety of items range from axes to blankets to sugar!

In 1904, Thomas Lee was classified as a “laborer” and this is his pay stub representing a day’s work on a canal boat working on the upper dam in Appleton. On additional forms his work description was, “Operation and care of canals and other Fox River Navigation” but look closely at his day rate of pay of $1.50.

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The Fox Locks pre-date the Civil War, so there is a large body of historical information on the system. We are lucky to have an amateur historian on staff, and these are excerpts from Scott Thompson’s greater research into the system.

Stacked Stone construction was the earliest method of building the Fox River Locks and was used until the Army Corps of Engineers took over management in the 1880s. At that time, locks were rebuilt with quarried limestone blocks and concrete. Fortunately for us, Kaukauna Lock 5’s original construction somehow avoided the limestone block upgrade and retains the original stacked stone construction style. It is the only operating lock in the system with this style. 

 

The walls of this lock are 6’wide at the top and 12 ‘ wide at the bottom which is anchored into the bedrock. In the photo refurbishing is about to start on this lock with the construction of an earthen coffer dam on the downstream side.The ragged looking debris on the stone walls is the remnants of a system of support timbers, tie rods and planking. The timbers and tie rods help keep the stone in place, while the planking helped protect the boat hulls during a lockage. Mostly wooden boat hulls in the old days!

 

It sounds like the big challenge with this construction style was the freeze/thaw cycle that took place early and late in the season. Water loves to find its way into the small cracks and crevices and doesn’t completely drain out. Freezing temps would create ice and damaging expansion forces. But again, somehow this lock survived and was eventually restored true to its original construction.

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It’s one of the most colorful and fun events of the year: the Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers cruise through the Appleton locks. The event is for adults and kids, but only open to non-motorized kayaks and canoes. The date is Saturday, Aug. 26 with a launch from Appleton’s Lutz Park and a paddle through the four Appleton locks to Sunset Park in Kimberly. Fees are adults $15, Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers members $10, and children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult.

The Appleton Locks Paddle gives you a view from the inside of the only restored, hand-operated locks system in the nation. We pass through all four Appleton locks, which date back to 1856. Learn more about the locks.

If the flow rate is too high for novice paddlers to handle the Appleton locks safely, we will relocate downstream, launching at Sunset Park in Kimberly and landing at Riverside Park in Kaukauna.

Save time at the launch by filling out the American Canoe Association ADULT WAIVER FORM or CHILD WAIVER FORM in advance and have the correct amount of cash or a check to pay the event fee.

For more info, visit this link.

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Every year the DOT regional office schedules a “take your kid to work” event that combines fun activities and learning. This year, the office combined an outing to the DePere lock with a demonstration on boat safety from a DNR warden. About 46 kids and 24 adults attended to learn the history and operation of the DePere lock—the busiest lock of all 17 locks on the Fox River. Lock tenders talked about how the locks were used for shipping, cargo, and vital to navigate the sharp drop in elevation of the Fox River. From Menasha to Green Bay, the river drops 168 feet in elevation—equal to the vertical height of Niagara Falls.

Lock tender Scott Thompson explained the size of boats that can fit into the lock chambers and told the kids that in the late 1800s and early 1900s the river was used to ship goods on giant barges and ships. The kids all got the chance to flood the lock chamber by opening the valves and taking a spin on the turnstile to open the giant lock doors. The word from the kids: “This is COOL!”

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The weekend of October 1&2 will be our final events for the 2022 season and we are hoping for great weather!

Back by popular demand, our FREE Fall Colors Weekend will again give you the best option for viewing the colors of the season from the Fox River. No locks fees needed, just bring your boat, your family, and cruise through the locks. That weekend, locks will be open as follows:

  • All five Kaukauna Locks 10am-6pm
  • Little Rapids 10am-6pm
  • De Pere Lock 10am-6pm

If you don’t have a boat, please bring the kids to watch the locks in action. The DePere lock is along the pedestrian paths at Voyager Park and all five Kaukauna locks are accessible via the new Kaukauna Locks trail. Ample free parking is available at both locations.

We’ve been rained out a few times this summer, so we’re hoping Mother Nature cooperates on Sunday, October 2 for a guided tour of the Appleton locks. Christine Williams from the Appleton Historical Society will share the stories of how the locks and Appleton grew up together. You’ll learn how the locks were built before Wisconsin became a state and how generations of lock tenders were on call to open the giant lock gates for commercial and recreational river traffic.

This is a walking tour that will travel the 1.5 miles from Appleton lock 1 located in the shadow of Riverview Gardens to Appleton lock 4 located at River Heath.

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The weekend of October 1&2 will be our final events for the 2022 season and we are hoping for great weather!
Back by popular demand, our FREE Fall Colors Weekend will again give you the best option for viewing the colors of the season from the Fox River. No locks fees needed, just bring your boat, your family, and cruise through the locks. That weekend, locks will be open as follows:

  • All five Kaukauna Locks 10am-6pm
  • Little Rapids 10am-6pm
  • De Pere Lock 10am-6pm

For all you boaters, this is your last chance this season to get your boats out of the water for winter storage. We didn’t want to charge you a locks fee for giving those boats an off-season home! Please remember we will not be opening the locks before winter after this weekend.

If you don’t have a boat, please bring the kids to watch the locks in action. The DePere lock is along the pedestrian paths at Voyager Park and all five Kaukauna locks are accessible via the new Kaukauna Locks trail. Ample free parking is available at both locations.

We’ve been rained out a few times this summer, so we’re hoping Mother Nature cooperates on Sunday, October 2 for a guided tour of the Appleton locks. Christine Williams from the Appleton Historical Society will share the stories of how the locks and Appleton grew up together. You’ll learn how the locks were built before Wisconsin became a state and how generations of lock tenders were on call to open the giant lock gates for commercial and recreational river traffic.

This is a walking tour that will travel the 1.5 miles from Appleton lock 1 located in the shadow of Riverview Gardens to Appleton lock 4 located at River Heath. Parking is a bit tight so we suggest parking at Telulah Park and walking down the hill to lock 4.

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The official summer season is over and to mark the end of a busy season, we held a year-end celebration. In attendance—the people who keep the locks functioning and who literally open the gates for you. These are unique jobs that are rooted in the state’s history. When barges and paddle boats used the river as the main transportation route through Northeast Wisconsin, lock tenders and their families lived in homes at the lock. Their job was to open the gates any time a vessel approached, day or night.

Today our traffic is almost all recreational and the lock tenders don’t live at the locks, but they are still there to open the massive gates to let boat traffic through.

Our lock tenders, maintenance team, support staff, and board members gathered to thank everyone for their hard work. This year marked the first we went all cashless, and lock tenders rallied to the task of checking electronic passes.  We also acknowledged some milestones in service to the system and recognized these folks:

  • Austin Cords, 2 years of service
  • Kathy Lemmer, 2 years of service
  • Joe Holschuh, 2 years of service
  • Dick Vande Hey, 3 years of service
  • Jeremy Cords, 5 years of service
  • Pat Spaay, 6 years of service
  • Scott Thompson, 14 years of service

To top off the evening, our team was treated to a cruise on the Fox River with Captain Dave Peck of River Tyme Tours launching out of River Heath. We thank all of our lock tenders and support teams for their great work and look forward to seeing them next season!

Lock tenders and guests celebrated the end of the ’22 season at Poplar Hall, near Appleton lock 4.

Lock tender Mike Bye shows off his customized shirt!

Executive Director Phil Ramlet and Board Member John Vette.

Phil Ramlet recognizes Jeremy Cords for 5 years of service.

Phil Ramlet recognizes Dick Vande Hey for three years of service.

Phil Ramlet recognizes Pat Spaay for six years of service. Pat is a jack of all trades at the locks!

Phil Ramlet thanks Joe Holschuh for opening the locks for two years.

Kathy Lemmer is thanked for being a lock tender for two years–yes, women can open the lock gates, too!

It’s a family affair for the Lasees! Joe is the official lock tender, but his son Elijah accompanies him on most of his shifts.

Phil Ramlet with our engineering partner Tim Bolwerk from Westwood Professional Services.

Our resident historian Christine Williams with Tim Vosters. Tim’s family was lock tenders for generations.

Lock tenders young and old celebrate the end of the boating season!

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http://foxlocks.org/2022/09/08/fox-locks-team-celebrates-end-of-season/

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The official summer season is over and to mark the end of a busy season, we held a year-end celebration. In attendance—the people who keep the locks functioning and who literally open the gates for you. These are unique jobs that are rooted in the state’s history. When barges and paddle boats used the river as the main transportation route through Northeast Wisconsin, lock tenders and their families lived in homes at the lock. Their job was to open the gates any time a vessel approached, day or night.
Today our traffic is almost all recreational and the lock tenders don’t live at the locks, but they are still there to open the massive gates to let boat traffic through.
Our lock tenders, maintenance team, support staff, and board members gathered to thank everyone for their hard work. This year marked the first we went all cashless, and lock tenders rallied to the task of checking electronic passes.  We also acknowledged some milestones in service to the system and recognized these folks:

  • Austin Cords, 2 years of service
  • Kathy Lemmer, 2 years of service
  • Joe Holschuh, 2 years of service
  • Dick Vande Hey, 3 years of service
  • Jeremy Cords, 5 years of service
  • Pat Spaay, 6 years of service
  • Scott Thompson, 14 years of service

To top off the evening, our team was treated to a cruise on the Fox River with Captain Dave Peck of River Tyme Tours launching out of River Heath. We thank all of our lock tenders and support teams for their great work and look forward to seeing them next season!

Lock tenders and guests celebrated the end of the ’22 season at Poplar Hall, near Appleton lock 4.

Lock tender Mike Bye shows off his customized shirt!

Executive Director Phil Ramlet and Board Member John Vette.

Phil Ramlet recognizes Jeremy Cords for 5 years of service.

Phil Ramlet recognizes Dick Vande Hey for three years of service.

Phil Ramlet recognizes Pat Spaay for six years of service. Pat is a jack of all trades at the locks!

Phil Ramlet thanks Joe Holschuh for opening the locks for two years.

Kathy Lemmer is thanked for being a lock tender for two years–yes, women can open the lock gates, too!

It’s a family affair for the Lasees! Joe is the official lock tender, but his son Elijah accompanies him on most of his shifts.

Phil Ramlet with our engineering partner Tim Bolwerk from Westwood Professional Services.

Our resident historian Christine Williams with Tim Vosters. Tim’s family was lock tenders for generations.

Lock tenders young and old celebrate the end of the boating season!

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Just announced: purchase a season pass for the remainder of the navigation year and it’s half off! Our season ends Sept. 5 at most upriver locks, but extends until Sept. 25 for DePere and Little Kaukauna locks. Your season pass covers any and all locks as often as you wish to cruise. And remember there’s a lot of beautiful weather left to cruise the locks after Labor day. For more info, visit our website. 

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Just announced: purchase a season pass for the remainder of the navigation year and it’s half off! Our season ends Sept. 5 at most upriver locks, but extends until Sept. 25 for DePere and Little Kaukauna locks. Your season pass covers any and all locks as often as you wish to cruise. And remember there’s a lot of beautiful weather left to cruise the locks after Labor day. For more info, visit our website. 

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By Mary Schmidt, Fox Locks Marketing

We’re used to seeing pontoons, pleasure boats, and kayaks through the Fox Locks, but imagine if a pleasure cruiser longer than a football field were to go through a lock. You’d need a really big lock and that’s what we saw on a recent cruise on the Danube River. Our tour passed through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary where we crossed through several locks—most during the overnight hours. We were on board the Avalon Passion, one of the Avalon line’s river cruisers—at 443’ long and 39’ wide, the ship can be a tight fit in a lock if there are other boats present. As a comparison, our locks are between 35’-37’ long!

We started the cruise at Regensburg, Germany, then crossed beautiful hills on the way to Passau, Germany. The Jochenstein Lock is in the Wachau Valley near Passau and provided excellent views through the locks.

The captain invited us onto the bridge to watch the process, but as soon as we were in the lock, he steered the ship from controls located on the port and starboard sides of the ship. There, he got a closer look at the clearance on the sides of the lock—at some points it was only a few inches. Please watch this short video to get an idea of what it’s like to travel through locks that have been in use for commercial and pleasure crafts for years.

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By Mary Schmidt, Fox Locks Marketing

We’re used to seeing pontoons, pleasure boats, and kayaks through the Fox Locks, but imagine if a pleasure cruiser longer than a football field were to go through a lock. You’d need a really big lock and that’s what we saw on a recent cruise on the Danube River. Our tour passed through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary where we crossed through several locks—most during the overnight hours. We were on board the Avalon Passion, one of the Avalon line’s river cruisers—at 443’ long and 39’ wide, the ship can be a tight fit in a lock if there are other boats present. As a comparison, our locks are between 35’-37’ long!

We started the cruise at Regensburg, Germany, then crossed beautiful hills on the way to Passau, Germany. The Jochenstein Lock is in the Wachau Valley near Passau and provided excellent views through the locks.

The captain invited us onto the bridge to watch the process, but as soon as we were in the lock, he steered the ship from controls located on the port and starboard sides of the ship. There, he got a closer look at the clearance on the sides of the lock—at some points it was only a few inches. Please watch this short video to get an idea of what it’s like to travel through locks that have been in use for commercial and pleasure crafts for years.

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The board of directors of the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) has appointed Phil Ramlet as executive director of the organization. Ramlet recently retired from Westwood Professional Services, where he worked for more than 40 years on large infrastructure construction projects. For the last 15 years, he has consulted with FRNSA on property and construction issues for the system.  He has been an active community leader serving in a volunteer capacity on the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley’s Community Real Estate Personal Property Foundation, he served as chairperson of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, chairperson of the Appleton Redevelopment Authority, and was a board member for both the YMCA of the Fox Cities and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

The move is part of a realignment for the Fox Locks in which Jeremy Cords will assume the duties of director of operations for the system. He will be responsible for overseeing all lock operations and system maintenance.   

“This move positions the system for future growth and now we are staffed with the resources to realize our vision,” said Ron Van De Hey, board chairman of the Fox Locks. “We want to attract more boaters and pedestrians to the locks to learn about their role in the historic, economic, and cultural development of Northeast Wisconsin.”

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Phil Ramlet, Executive Director, FRNSA

The board of directors of the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) has appointed Phil Ramlet as executive director of the organization. Ramlet recently retired from Westwood Professional Services, where he worked for more than 40 years on large infrastructure construction projects. For the last 15 years, he has consulted with FRNSA on property and construction issues for the system.  He has been an active community leader serving in a volunteer capacity on the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley’s Community Real Estate Personal Property Foundation, he served as chairperson of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, chairperson of the Appleton Redevelopment Authority, and was a board member for both the YMCA of the Fox Cities and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

The move is part of a realignment for the Fox Locks in which Jeremy Cords will assume the duties of director of operations for the system. He will be responsible for overseeing all lock operations and system maintenance.   

“This move positions the system for future growth and now we are staffed with the resources to realize our vision,” said Ron Van De Hey, board chairman of the Fox Locks. “We want to attract more boaters and pedestrians to the locks to learn about their role in the historic, economic, and cultural development of Northeast Wisconsin.”

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June 30th, 2022 UPDATE: The Appleton, Cedars, Little Chute and Combined locks will be open this weekend and will operate until 11:00PM on July 3rd and 4th!

Little Rapids and De Pere will be open until midnight on July 4th!

Original Post June 15th

Attention boaters–all four Appleton locks are closed to boat traffic as of 6.12.22. Repairs are needed to lock 3 to replace rotted boards on the giant lock gates. Our team is hard at work to get this done as quickly as possible and we hope to re-open by the weekend of the 4th of July.

We are fixing a sink hole in the levee at Little Chute, so that lock and Combined Locks are closed this weekend, June 18 & 19. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page to find out when these locks will re-open.

If you have any questions, please contact our offices at 920-455-9174.

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Attention boaters–all four Appleton locks are closed to boat traffic as of 6.12.22. Repairs are needed to lock 3 to replace rotted boards on the giant lock gates. Our team is hard at work to get this done as quickly as possible and we hope to re-open by the Fourth of July. If you have any questions, please contact our offices at 920-455-9174.

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For the first time, we are opening two locks to take advantage of the opening day of the inland waters fishing season May 7. Both the DePere lock and the Little Kaukauna (Little Rapids) locks will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-8pm and full schedules are at this link https://foxlocks.org/schedule-and-operations/lock-hours-procedures/.

The full lock system opens Saturday, May 28, and the DePere and Little Kaukauna locks will be open 7 days a week during the season.

We hope to see you at the locks and remember to share pictures of your catch on our Facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/foxlockswi  

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THANK YOU to all who traveled through the Fox Locks System this past season! More than 20,000 people explored the Fox River in trips through the locks, making this one of our busiest seasons in recent years! This season, nine locks were operational—next summer we’ll add the Kaukauna locks to that list for a total of 14 operational locks on the Fox River.  Some fun facts for all of you:

  • On our recent Fall Colors weekend, 250 boats went through the locks to view the peak of Wisconsin color!
  • More than 4500 individual boats traveled the locks, 439 of which were canoes or kayaks. 
  • In all, we had 3,187 lockages.
  • No surprise, our busiest months were July & August.

It only costs $10 for a day pass to travel through as many locks as you would like. We also have annual passes available if boating the river is something you do regularly. 

Thanks again for making the Fox Locks part of your Wisconsin summer!

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Boaters can take advantage of free lockage on the weekend of October 10 and 11 from 10 am- 6 pm to view the fall colors from the Fox River. Locks at DePere, Little Kaukauna (Little Rapids), Appleton, and Little Chute will provide free lockage for boaters who want to use the locks for one last time in the 2020 season. In addition, pedestrians have access to locks located in DePere, Little Chute, Menasha and Appleton locks. For location maps, please visit www.foxlocks.org.

            “The most beautiful views of the foliage are right from the Fox River,” said Jeremy Cords, CEO of the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA). “We want boaters and pedestrians to see the breathtaking scenery from the locks, so we’ll waive fees for this weekend to encourage more people to use the locks.”

            Boat traffic through the lock system on the lower Fox River is up over past years, an indication that regional residents are choosing recreational activities closer to home during this time of pandemic. In June of 2020, a total of 1,250 motorized and non-motorized crafts passed through the lock system carrying 5,055 passengers. This is more than twice the number of boats through the locks than at the same time in 2019.

            Navigation on the full system ended September 20. The lock system on the Fox River is one of the only fully restored, hand-operated lock systems in the nation and all locks are on the National Register of Historic Places. Just as they did when the locks were built in the 1850s, lock tenders open and close the giant gates and valves by hand.

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This is an update on action taken at the board of directors’ recent meeting.

The board of directors of the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) voted to stop the development of a visitor center slated for construction at lock three located near Appleton’s Lawe Street. Plans had called for developing an interpretive center chronicling the history of the lock system in a multi-use building adjacent to the lock. The unanimous vote was taken at the board’s monthly meeting August 25, 2020.

Leaders of FRNSA cited the economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic as the catalyst for suspending development plans.

“Interpretive centers and museums across the country are either shut down or operating on reduced hours due to the pandemic,” said Jeremy Cords, CEO of FRNSA. “It is not responsible to invest substantial sums of money into this development when we are facing economic uncertainty and prolonged social distancing.” The visitor center had been proposed as a major destination for school and tour groups. 

Cords and other board members also reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to completing research necessary to re-open the closed Menasha lock. The authority is currently conducting research on the effects of water velocity and an electronic barrier on the life cycle of the invasive round goby. The research is expected to affirm that an electronic barrier installed at the Menasha lock will be effective in preventing the round goby from entering the Lake Winnebago watershed through the Menasha lock. The total cost of this research project is estimated at $120,000. 

“Our first responsibility is to maintain access to the lock system,” Cords said. “We are passionate about sharing the living history of the lock system with state residents and with maintaining the environmental beauty of the Fox River by keeping the locks open and functioning.”             

Of the 17 locks on the lower Fox River, all have been restored and are in working order. Currently, nine of the locks are open for approximately 25 miles of navigation on the river.  The five Kaukauna locks are expected to open in 2021 when repairs to the Veterans Memorial lift Bridge in downtown Kaukauna are complete. The Menasha lock was closed in 2015 by request of the Wisconsin DNR to prevent the round goby from reaching Lake Winnebago through the lock.

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Boat traffic through the lock system on the lower Fox River is up over past years, an indication that regional residents are choosing recreational activities closer to home during this time of pandemic. In June of 2020, a total of 1,250 motorized and non-motorized crafts passed through the lock system carrying 5,055 passengers. This is more than twice the number of boats through the locks than at the same time in 2019.

            “We’ve had steady growth in lock usage in recent years, but this level of traffic shows us that regional residents are becoming more familiar with the lock system and spending more time on the water,” said Jeremy Cords, CEO of the Fox River Navigational Authority (FRNSA). The Authority manages the 17 locks on the lower Fox River.

            Usage statistics show the following trends:

 BoatsNon-motorizedTOTALPassengers
June 201880640 8463674
June 2019545285732661
June 202011638712505055

            For this past 4th of July weekend, 156 boaters passed through the locks compared to 94 boaters in 2019. 

            Of the 39-mile lock system about 25 miles are open for navigation. Boaters can travel from the bay of Green Bay to the Rapide Croche lock just south of Wrightstown. The river is also navigable from the Rapide Croche lock south through Little Lake Butte des Morts to the closed Menasha lock. Both the Menasha lock and the Rapide Croche lock are closed to prevent the spread of invasive species.

            “As we open more stretches of the river to navigation, we expect these trends will continue to grow for both boaters and pedestrians interested in the lock system,” Cords said. Right now, work is underway to restore the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Kaukauna to working order, which will open the five locks in Kaukauna to boater traffic. Work is expected to be complete in 2021.

            The Menasha lock will remain closed to prevent the spread of the invasive round goby. An electric barrier has been proposed for this lock to prevent the fish from entering the Lake Winnebago watershed and research is currently underway to assess the effects of a barrier on all the life stages of the fish.

            The lock system on the Fox River is one of the only fully restored, hand-operated lock systems in the nation. From 2005-2015 the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) restored 16 of the 17 locks on the system at an investment of $14.5 million. 

            A 2017 economic impact study conducted by the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh indicated the lock system could generate as much as $290 million in total economic output over a ten year period and generate as many as 6,300 additional jobs. The study further indicates a fully operational lock system could generate $99 million in additional business investment over the same time period.             The Fox Locks operate through Labor Day 2020. 

Original Article

Blog – Fox Locks

Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2020/07/28/fox-river-locks-usage-increases-in-june-2020/

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In: appleton locks, fox locks, Fox Locks in the News, fox river boating, fox river locks, Important information, lock schedule appleton, Press Releases

Did you know that it takes about an hour to regenerate the water in the Appleton navigation canals after the locks are opened? That’s why we have what might seem to be an unusual operational schedule for Appleton lock 1 (near the Yacht Club) and Appleton lock 4 (near River Heath). Appleton lock 1 operates on even hours and Appleton lock 4 operates on odd numbered hours. If we didn’t give the navigational channels time to recycle, boaters will scrape their crafts on the bottom of the canal. For a full list of our scheduled hours, please visit this link.

So please be patient while nature takes its course as you travel through the four Appleton locks.

Original Article

Blog – Fox Locks

Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2020/07/01/clarification-of-appleton-hours/

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In: appleton locks, fox locks, Fox Locks in the News, fox river boating, fox river locks, Important information, lock schedule appleton, Press Releases

Did you know that it takes about an hour to regenerate the water in the Appleton navigation canals after the locks are opened? That’s why we have what might seem to be an unusual operational schedule for Appleton lock 1 (near the Yacht Club) and Appleton lock 4 (near River Heath). Appleton lock 1 operates on even hours and Appleton lock 4 operates on odd numbered hours. If we didn’t give the navigational channels time to recycle, boaters will scrape their crafts on the bottom of the canal. For a full list of our scheduled hours, please visit this link.

So please be patient while nature takes its course as you travel through the four Appleton locks.

Original Article

Blog – Fox Locks

Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2020/07/01/clarification-of-appleton-hours/

Fox Locks

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In: coronavirus, fox locks, Fox Locks in the News, fox river locks, Fox River Navigational System Authority, Important information, Newsletters, Press Releases, social distancing

Many of the business practices we have at the Fox River Navigational System Authority already take into account social distancing simply due to the nature of our work at the locks. However, to comply with CDC guidelines and state recommendations, we are following these procedures to increase personal safety and limit exposure to the coronavirus.

In our offices:

  • We banned all external visitors from our offices by March 20 and immediately began to work from home.
  • All board meetings and committee meetings have been conducted via videoconference.

At the Locks: This summer we will employ 29 lock tenders at the nine locks on the system that are open for boaters.

  • The nature of operating the locks requires a lock tender to be at each end of the lock, a distance of about 145 feet.
  • Our annual opening day is delayed until May 30, 2020.
  • All lock tenders will be wearing face masks and have hand sanitizer at each lock gate.
  • Lock turnstyles, valve controls and ropes used for anchoring boaters will be wiped down and sanitized after each lockage.
  • When boaters enter the locks, they are between 15’-6’ below the lock’s retaining walls depending on the level of the river, and are naturally socially distanced from the lock tenders.
  • When lock tenders are collecting lock fees they will use a bucket on a pole to avoid contact with boaters.

Our goal is to provide a safe and memorable experience to all boaters traveling through the locks and to pedestrians who want to experience living history in action. For a complete listing of our operating hours and fees to travel the lock system, please visit this link. 

 

Original Article

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Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2020/05/28/fox-locks-ensuring-your-safety/

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In: fox locks, Fox Locks in the News, Fox Locks repairs, fox river locks, Fox River Navigational System Authority, Important information, Newsletters, Press Releases, River heath appleton
Construction is underway rebuild a section of the canal wall that abuts the Kaukauna Utilities hydroelectric plant on the eastern side of the lock. Over the years, the force of the water in the canal and the effects of winter weather and heavy rains eroded the canal wall structure creating a small sink hole. In fall of 2019, a 30-foot section of the wall slid into the channel.
“This will replace a segment of the original canal wall built when the lock system was created in the 1880s,” said Jeremy Cords, CEO of the Fox Locks system. “It acts as a dyke on lock four and without re-construction, it would be impossible to maintain navigation on this part of the river.”
Construction crews from McMullen & Pitz will install a cofferdam—a structure that allows water to be pumped out to create a dry area in the channel for construction. Crews will dig to the bedrock or hard pack in the channel, pour a new cement foundation for the wall, and use new and original cut stone to rebuild the wall. A portion of the slope behind the canal wall will be covered with stone rip rap to further stabilize the site.
For questions about the project, please contact us at the Fox River Navigational System Authority or use the contact form on our website.

Original Article

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Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2020/02/27/appleton-lock-4-repairs-start/

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In: aquatic invasive species, fox locks, Fox Locks in the News, fox river locks, Fox River Navigational System Authority, Important information, menasha lock closed, Press Releases, round goby

In September of 2015, FRNSA voluntarily closed the Menasha lock at the request of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to prevent the spread of an invasive fish, the round goby, which was discovered in Little Lake Butte des Morts. The goby is one of 192 invasive species found in Lake Michigan. The invasive species barrier at the Rapide Croche lock prevents transmission of any species from the Great Lakes into the lock system and eventually the Lake Winnebago watershed.

What do we know about round goby behavior?

Fish are uniquely sensitive to electrical currents because their muscle control is based on electrical impulses through their nervous system, and because they inhabit a conductive environment. Electrical barriers and guidance systems make use of this sensitivity.

We have reviewed results of scientific reports from researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Based published research, we know these characteristics of the round goby:

  • The round goby is a bottom dweller where the current in an electronic barrier would be strongest.
  • The velocity of the water in the navigation channel will affect the travel of the round goby. Part of the electronic barrier operations plan calls for flushing the lock daily prior to any lockages up or down the system.

 How did the round goby get here?

The round goby is an invasive fish found in the Great Lakes. Several were found in Little Lake Butte des Morts in September of 2015. When they were discovered, the lock system was not open to the Great Lakes and there were no populations of round gobies in Lake Winnebago according to DNR testing. Additionally at the time of discovery, there were three miles of dry canal and three de-watered locks between Little Lake Butte des Morts and Kaukauna. It is important to remember the Fox River flows north and it is impossible for fish to travel from the bay of Green Bay to Lake Winnebago through the lock system due to the barrier at the Rapide Croche lock. The round goby were most likely introduced into the system as fishing bait, or on pleasure boats that were not adequately cleaned.

Is the Menasha lock the main entry point for round gobies?

No. Since the fish was found, there is a verified population in Little Lake Butte des Morts. Currently, there are more than 60 boat landings into Lake Winnebago that are not monitored, and each summer float planes land in Lake Winnebago thus increasing access points for invasive species.

Original Article

Blog – Fox Locks

Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2019/10/28/round-goby-facts/

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In: electric barrier, Events, fox locks, fox river locks, Fox River Navigational System Authority, Important information, menasha lock, menasha lock closed, Newsletters, Press Releases

Many of our customers and concerned citizens have asked specific questions about the proposed electric barrier for the Menasha Lock. We’re answering some of those questions here in order to give you the facts about the propsed project.

Where will the barrier be located?

The barrier will be constructed immediately downstream of the Menasha lock (remember, the Fox River flows north from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay). The lock is located at 82 Broad Street in the City of Menasha. FRNSA leases the property immediately around the lock from the State of Wisconsin.

What changes are proposed for the Menasha lock?

The proposal calls for building a 100-foot long concrete channel, 36 feet wide with vertical walls approximately 13 feet high (2’ will be visible above the waterline). Electrodes will be recessed in the concrete to create a pulsed DC electrical current. A portion of the riverbank on each side of the channel will be filled in to support the concrete channel. The plan calls for installing failsafe systems in the event of a power outage that include a backup natural gas powered generation system, an uninterpretable power supply to cover any possible lapse in power, and almost a dozen other closely monitored alarm controls that will alert operators to any system changes. The system is being built for future adaptability in mind to deter other invasive species.

Is the electric barrier dangerous to humans?

The barrier uses a pulsed field of direct current (DC) in the water that is not dangerous to humans on shore or in their boats. When going through the proposed barrier, boaters must follow a few safety precautions that are normally required for transit through the locks:

  • All boaters must wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD)
  • When entering the lock, all boat passengers must keep their arms, legs, and metal paddles out of the water.
  • No swimming is allowed in a lock or lock channel (there never has been)

Passengers must not get on or off a boat within locks or the lock channel

Where are electric barrier systems currently in use?

Use of electricity to guide and block fish is not a new concept and was derived from electroshocking technology used by fishery departments in nearly all states. Electrical barriers built in the 1950s and 1960s are still in operation. Electric barriers are custom-designed for each situation and, as such, include a wide variety of barrier geometries, waveforms, and field strengths. In short, the objective of each barrier and guidance system is what drives the system design.

More than 70 Smith-Root-designed electrical barriers and guidance systems have been installed across the globe. In Midwestern states such as Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois Smith-Root has 28 pulsed DC electrical barriers in operation for multiple years and monitoring shows the barriers operate reliably.

The design proposal is currently 60% complete and has been submitted to the state DNR for review and approval. For more information including design proposals, construction proposals, and supporting documentation, visit this link. 

Original Article

Blog – Fox Locks

Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2019/10/14/get-the-facts-the-menasha-barrier-part-2/

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In: dePere lock, fox locks, Fox Locks in the News, Fox River Locks History, Fox River Navigational System Authority, History & Fun Facts, Important information, Little Chute lock, menasha lock, What's going on?

Another fantastic season for the Fox Locks is in the books! Thank you to all of you who traveled through the locks and every year we hope to make improvements in the experience. Many don’t remember that the locks system has not been in operation since the early 1980s, so an entire generation has grown up without the experience of traveling through the historic lock system.

Speaking of history, here’s a quick look at notable dates and events for the lock system:

1825 Construction of Erie Canal completed, idea of connecting Green Bay and Prairie du Chien via water becomes reality.

1848 Wisconsin becomes a state.

1849 Construction begins on Fox & Wisconsin River improvements

1851 Contracts awarded for lock construction at Kaukauna and Little Chute

1866 Wisconsin Improvement Company, owner of the lock project, declared bankruptcy

1870 Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company takes over management of the locks

1872 United States Army Corps of Engineers acquires navigational control of the waterway

1886 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers abandons Wisconsin River portion of locks system

1922 Dredging for commercial traffic on the Fox River halts

1959 Last vessel navigates the full length of the Fox River

1982 Army Corps of Engineers recommends the lock system is dismantled

1984 Local citizens and elected officials start a campaign to fund and keep the locks open

1993 Individual locks named to the National Register of Historic Places, part of the National Park Service.

2001 State statute 237 creates the Fox River Navigational System Authority

2004 Ownership of the lock system is transferred from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the State of Wisconsin

2005 Repair and renovation begins on the lock system

2015 All locks are restored to full operational functionality

Fall 2015: Menasha Lock voluntarily closed due to discovery of Round Goby in Little Lake Butte des Morts.

Original Article

Blog – Fox Locks

Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2019/09/16/fox-locks-timeline-history-at-a-glance/

Fox Locks