KAUKAUNA — The water level in the canal along the Fox River locks system has been lowered as crews complete routine maintenance ahead of the planned May opening of the system.
The locks are scheduled to open May 20, 2023, according to Philip Ramlet, executive director, Fox River Navigational System Authority.
Locks passes currently are available online HERE.
The locks system undergoes a variety of upkeep and maintenance projects during the off-season.
Beginning in February, crews began removing trees from the levees around the locks to preserve the integrity of the earthen levees, which pose a danger for long-term preservation of the levees, according to a news release.
The levees, or dikes as some people call them, are earthen barriers that are between the actual Fox River and the navigational channels on the lock system. The levees hold back the river current and help support the structure of the locks, but tree roots compromise their structure.
For those who don’t plan to boat through the locks, a new 1.3-mile Kaukauna Interpretive Trail opened a year ago that brings hikers and bikers within view of all five Kaukauna Locks and links to the settlement-era Charles A. Grignon Mansion.
The Fox Locks are the only hand operated, fully restored locks in the nation and are on the National Register of Historic Places. All but two of the 17 locks are open for navigation, making about 35 miles of the Fox River open for boaters.
