Locks on the Chattahoochee
One of the most interesting and anticipated experiences traveling up or down the lower Chattahoochee is that of going through the locks. Three dams on the Chattahoochee River—Walter F. George, George W. Andrews and Jim Woodruff—have navigation locks that allow recreational as well as commercial boats to travel both upstream and downstream. The locks are necessary to transfer boats from one water level to another. “Locking through” can cause anxiety the first time you do it, but it is relatively easy if you are prepared and follow the proper procedure.
1. Signal the lockmaster as you approach by calling on VHF radio Channel 16 or by cell phone (lockmaster numbers listed below) or by using the ropes at the upstream or downstream sides of the dam to sound a horn. A VHF radio or cell phone is good to have when going through the locks. We had neither the first time we locked through the Woodruff Dam on Lake Seminole. Most approach ropes are on the end of the approach corridor farthest away from the dam gate, but this one is extremely close to the gate, and we could not reach it in the choppy water. We had to go back two miles to Seminole Lodge to call the lockmaster to tell him we wanted to come through.
2. The lockmaster will signal you through the lock via traffic lights or horn blasts. A flashing red light means “do not enter,” a flashing amber light means “approach slowly” and a flashing green light means “enter.” A long horn blast means “enter the lock” and a short horn blast means “leave the lock.”
3. Pay attention to instructions and signals from lock attendants as you enter the lock; they will direct you to one of the floating locks. Be particularly cautious if you are entering with a lot of other boats or a very large vessel.
4. Have at least one 150-foot mooring line ready. On all three Chattahoochee River locks, boat passengers do the mooring. These passengers should wear PFDs. Tie the line to the floating lock and shut off the motor.
5. The lowering and lifting process is fairly slow. Sometimes you will not even feel it. But the noises of the floating locks as they do their job are eerie—especially in the Walter F. George Lock, which is the largest and very hollow.
6. When the process is completed, the lock gates will open. You are now on the same level as the river. Release your lines and proceed slowly from the lock.
Walter F. George Lock and Dam. This 82′ x 450′ lock on Lake Walter F. George drops, or lifts, passengers 88′ between the lake level and the riverbed below the dam. Open 7 days a week, 8am-4pm. 912/768-2032.
George W. Andrews Lock and Dam. This lock on Lake George W. Andrews is the same size as the Walter F. George Lock (82′ x 450′), but the lift/drop through the lock is only 25′. Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. 912/723-3482.
Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam. This lock on Lake Seminole is also 82′ x 450′ but it has a lift/drop of 33′. Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. 904/663-4692.