Calcasieu Lock

Comment by: Anita Robinson on Mar 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

We arrived early in the morning to find the lock closed for maintenance until 7:00 pm and several barges lined up waiting for it to open. We decided to head south into the Gulf and bypass the lock. Might want to call ahead.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Nothing posted in Notice to Mariners.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Cindy Watford, Some day, on Oct 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

We came to the lock headed east, called the lock on the phone, the lock master was very helpful and I was honest in letting him know I had not been thru the lock before and did not know what to except , he explained to me what to do and let us float thru with no tie up.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Kim on May 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

The lock is available 24hrs a day now. Repairs are all finished. They recommend calling them when you reach the devils elbow and they will give you further instructions.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Cindy Winton on Mar 1, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.5'

The lock is closed Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm - lock master advised it would be open for us (pleasure boaters who prefer not to transit in darkness) Saturday/Sunday

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  See the nav alert that is posted.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Capt Sam, Here's To Us, on Feb 19, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

February 15, 2022. Sam of WhatYachtToDo on a training and delivery journey. Sea Ray 480MY with a 4-ft draft. We contacted the lock the day before and they told us they would lock pleasure craft through before they started the barges that were lined up for the 5PM opening. That was a good thing as there were over 30 barges lined up waiting as we passed them westbound. We went to the front of the line and waited until we got the call. Went through slack (no doors) when opened. See my note on the Black Bayou Pontoon bridge.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Ed Note: Daily closures due to maintenance.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Tim M on Jan 11, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 4.5'

Went through eastbound on morning of 4 Dec 19. Called lockmaster by phone and he was very helpful. Although we had to turn circles for a while, he put us at the front of the que. He even called us several times with additional instructions while we waited. Pay close attention to depths— we went aground while making circles but fortunately were able to get ourselves free.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Yvonne Schick on Nov 7, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 4.7'

Arrived at Lake Charles headed east. Called lockmaster to check status of repairs. Working seven days a week, day light to dark. Estimates at least two more weeks. Only option for passing thru is during night hours along with heavily backed up barge traffic. Requiring a Plan B.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Len Barton, Short Dog II, on Dec 1, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

At this time the lock is being repaired. On weekdays it’s closed 0700 to 1700. Open on weekends. <br /> Be careful on west side of lock. Very shallow. Commercial traffic insane on weekends. We went thru in our sportfish boat. Wouldn’t want to do it in our 41 foot sailboat.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer