DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – While summer doesn’t officially start for another month, it’s starting to feel like it for those out on the Fox River.
“It’s an exciting day for us,” Fox River Navigational System Authority Executive Director Phil Ramlet said. “The locks will open up starting [Saturday]. We anticipate there will be good weather and we’ll be busy.”
The Wisconsin tradition, which dates back over 150 years, has changed very little since its inception. It still sees cranks maneuvered by hand to raise the water level, allowing boaters, kayakers and canoeists to quickly change elevation.
“Two alternate paths to get over the dam there,” Lock Tender Bill Vanevenhoven said. “Is actually over the dam — not very pleasant, or get out on the shore and bring their boat around. Thirdly wouldn’t be boating pass through any more. So locks are essential to the recreational effectiveness of this area.”
Those who man any one of the 17 locks are known as lock tenders. Vanevenhoven is one for the De Pere station.
“These are the only fully restore manually operated locks in the country — full systems,” Vanevenhoven said. “We still have locks in the country. The other locks would be automated with pumps and loaders. What fun is that, right?”
Vanevenhoven has been doing it for enjoyment for the last four years. It seems to be equally enjoyable for those on the water.
“It’s gonna be 80 degrees so I think there’s a lot of pent up demand for people to use the system,” Ramlet said.
The system spans two stretches of the river totaling nearly 40 miles.
“Kaukauna and then the Little Chute area, and then it’ll be open from Rapide Croche through Green Bay,” Ramlet said.
Ramlet said all but two will be accessible on opening day: the Appleton lock for construction projects — though that should be ready by Memorial Day — and the Menasha lock for an issue with invasive species.
“In 2015,” Ramlet said. “So we’re working through issues with the DNR to hopefully build an electric deterrent like a barrier.”
The busiest locks, De Pere and Kaukauna, are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sept. 2.
Anyone who wants to use the system will need a pass. Options include a $10 day pass or a $100 annual pass. Click here to purchase yours.
Comments