Spring of 19 - #8 - Canaveral Lock

Wednesday April 24th, 2019 - Part 2 of 2
We went back to Canaveral Lock.  The sign when we went the other day said it would be open between 2 & 4pm, so we planned to arrive after 2pm.
The bridge before you get to the lock was opening.

Here's the boat that was going through the open bridge.

We were in luck, the lock was open.  It turns out it is a one man operation, hence the reason it is closed at times.

We arrived at the lock at the same time as the boat we had seen going through the open bridge.

The lock gates at the far end are closed.

Pigeons walking the plank

We could see the Kennedy Space Center in the distance.

This tour boat went for a tour of the lock.

Lock gates where the boat had entered are starting to close.

Finally, lock gates are closed 

The lock keeper rides to the gates at the other end.

Water level is 17ft.

Lock gates at far end are closed

Lock Gates at far end are now open.

Boat going through the open lock into the Banana River

The water depth didn't change.  It seems the lock is here to control the tidewater and help with the separation of salt and fresh water.  When the gates are closed, a walkway is created across the top of the gates. This is not for public use.

The big boat leaves and the smaller boat enters

smaller boat now tied up in the lock

We didn't stay to watch the small boat go back through the lock.  I didn't find these locks as interesting, as there is no waiting and watching the water level go up or down.

We felt as though we had done enough for today and headed home.