South Mills Lock

Comment by: Captain Gene on May 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

May 10 2024 Previous comment accurate and helpful. Polite, friendly, and efficient right on schedule. Nice lady Lock-master caught our lines and returned them quickly, thank you kindly :) Quickly got us through lock and bridge. Good VHF contact on 13

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Comment by: david kanzler, Hygge, on Apr 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 29'
Draft: 2.5'

Time your arrival no sooner than ten minutes before the lock opening time. No real great options to hang out for the lock to open. The usually have it open ten minutes before the scheduled time.

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Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Be prepared for a port side tie to fixed bollards. If the lock is crowded, the last boats in may have to raft so make sure you have adequate fenders out to protect any boat you might raft to OR that might have to raft to you.

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Comment by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Apr 14, 2023
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

When you approach South Mills Lock from the south you will be looking at a low road bridge over a side channel. The lock is literally 200 yards beyond the corner and the final approach is tight and shallows to 9 feet coming into the lock with little room to maneuver. The lock opens 10 minutes before the scheduled lock opening and, if there is time to kill, it is better slowing down on final approach rather than trying to stop right before the lock. There is more room to pause at the junction with the old barge loading canal, five minutes south of the lock. Check with the lockmaster on VHF Channel 13 to confirm times. Prepare for a port side tie northbound using your own lines for the 8 foot lift.

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Comment by: Maryanne on Apr 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.2'

We went through (northbound) in April with an 8' lift. Lock keeper requests northbound vessels to tie port side. Signs ashore request all wear life jackets.<br /> <br /> Lock keeper is clear with instructions and helpful with lines.

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Comment by: Bruce Stewart, Escape, on Apr 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

Got to lock with about an hour to spare (from the south), tied up to a dolphin right outside the down stream lock and waited for the scheduled opening.<br /> <br /> Lock tender was helpful with the lines and got us through with no problem,<br /> <br /> He then drove the 1/4 mile up to open the bridge for us to pass (before we got there)<br /> <br /> We did kick up a Branch (6" dia) that had settled on the bottom just north of the lock (6-7' on depth sounder) Slow speed and RPM is advised on the whole Dismal Swamp

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