The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District announced today the Jim Woodruff Lock located on the Apalachicola River in Chattahoochee, Florida will be closed to all vessels as unscheduled repairs are underway at the lock. Mechanical problems caused the lock gates to become inoperable so repairs were begin immediately on April 6. The lock is expected to remain closed through mid-May 2014 and a public announcement will be made near the re-opening date.
The closure is to allow replacement of one of the hydraulic cylinders that opens and closes the lower lock gates. The closure will impact the movement of boat traffic on the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system. Users should make the necessary arrangements in their navigation and recreation plans to accommodate the delay in the reopening of the lock.
The two locks further upstream on the Chattahoochee River, Walter F. George and George W. Andrews, will not be affected by this action.
Questions or requests for information may be directed to the ACF Project Management Office at 334-232-4542 or Woodruff/Seminole Site Office at 229-662-2001.
Release no. 14-008