Lock Chamber

These pictures are of the lock chamber of several locks. Only on one occasion did we have to share the lock with a tow and fortunately it was a small tow with a construction barge (Row 1 Picture 1). There were always some anxious moments just before the lock doors would open to let us out. We never knew what might be on the other side (Row 1 Pictures 2 and 3 and Row 3). Notice the very small opening for us to exit through in Row 3 Picture 1. A pleasure craft is leading the way out of the lock. Not all locks have the large metal cylinders that raise and lower with the water level. These large floats are used to tie off barges so they stay in place during the locking process (Row 1 Picture 4 and Row 2 Pictures 1 and 2). The lock at Keokuk, IA is unique in that the lock is so deep that the upstream door raises up and down the approximate 12 feet of clearance required and does not "swing open" like the downstream door that is 40+ feet high (Row 2 Pictures 3 and 4).