Lock comment on Kentucky Lock and Dam

Comment by: Rick Brunner on Oct 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.0'

Kentucky Lock info
Mile Marker for Kentucky Lock TRM:22.4
Phone : 270-362-4226
VHF Chanel : 14
Distance : Paducah to Kentucky Lock : 22.6 miles
Lift : ~53ft
Estimate wait times: 2.5 hours per tow ( double ) to lock through
Will wait no more than 3 lock cycles , clock starts when you arrive on station. Our experience was 1.5 for first boats , 40mins for last boat to arrive on station.

Arrival
@I24 bridge, anchor in the channel
Find a spot In the channel to wait assuming tow traffic and keep out of the channel / path to lock.

Chief on duty told us Max wait of three hours.. could be min of 1 hour..

Floating Bollards: 8 pins total
Starboard (unbound )left descending side of lock
30:
70
300
525
600 : note too close to rear door for anything but a smaller boat and according to lock master most turbulent

Port (Upbound) right descending side of lock
70
300
525

Pin 600 on the starboard side was not usable except for a very small boat , so effectively you have only 4 pins on starboard side , the front pin at 30 is really tight to the front gate and between 30 and 70 it’s only 40 feet so if 30 is used it needs to be a small vessel , 40ft or less to allow some gap between the gate and bow assuming a mid kleat tie . Vessel at starboard 70 needs to be 40 or less to clear vessel at 30 pin and provide adequate clearance

Summary you only have 7 pins 3 port 4 starboard , size placement is key on pin 30 and 70 on starboard side. The only other option to utilize pin 600 is to have the boat that is going to tie to 600 starboard enter the lock , wait on the lock doors to close and then back onto the pin

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  We have always found the Barkley Lock to be quicker due to significantly less commercial traffic.

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Reviewed by: Rick Brunner on Apr 23, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 51'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great little secluded FREE 72 hour floating dock with water , bathroom facilities , no power , plenty of depth , will have a current depending on time that you enter and exit , out runs parallel to docks. Quite with lots of birds and great views

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Reviewed by: Rick Brunner on Aug 27, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 51'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

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