Report from Okeechobee Lake Route and Franklin Docks, Statute Mile 121
Our thanks to veteran cruiser David Bell for this good report from the Okeechobee Waterway. The popular Franklin Lock Boat-in Docks, which were closed for repairs in August of 2014, are open for business.
Left Stuart for Fort Myers with the lake level at 14.78′. Never saw less than 10′ of water the entire trip. We took the lake route instead of the rim route. All of the lock tenders were right on the ball. Never had a delay. But one quick note. The locks shut down at 1640. If you are not in the lock by then you will have to wait for a sunrise before you can pass. The Franklin lock docks on the NE side were empty. At $24.00 per night it is a great place to lay over and very protected.
David Bell
Click Here To View the Okeechobee Waterway Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Franklin Lock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Franklin Lock
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Spent Saturday night-Halloween- at Franklin Lock docks. Lovely as always. They seem to have only replaced the pilings- no other changes to configuration. Nothing fancy but facilities were spotless. Sign still says $24 but it is $30 which becomes $15 with an inter-agency senior pass. At any of those price points it is a bargain (electric is included). 4 of the slips can be reserved online (www. recreation.gov) and 4 are first come first serve. Our group of 3 boats were the only ones there Saturday.
Kim