Galveston District Projects

Colorado River Locks

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   The Colorado River Locks were authorized by the River and harbor Act of 21 January 1927. Originally constructed as floodgates on each side of the Colorado River, construction was completed in September 1943. The floodgates were converted to locks in April 1954. A pair of steel sector gates located at each end encloses a 1,200-foot long lock chamber. The locks provide a horizontal clearance of 75 feet, and the sill elevation is -15 feet mean low tide. The 75-foot gated thruway is too narrow to accommodate the new modern wider barges posing a major safety threat. The crossing was designed when barges were carried astern on a towline rather than the current practice of pushing a string of barges, making navigation of the crossing more difficult. Many tows have to "trip" or break down and moor their barges while taking one barge across at a time, causing delays, particularly during high river stages.

   In addition, the barge industry has expressed their belief that completion of the diversion feature of the Mouth of Colorado River project, including the closure of Parker's Cut and the opening of the bypass channel has created hazardous navigation conditions. Specifically they have complained of strong currents at the bypass channel intersection with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and a changed current pattern at the Colorado River crossing, the currents in the river have shifted more toward the west lock entrance.