Draft:Inglis Lock

Inglis Lock The Inglis Lock is a non-operational lock located near the western end of the Cross Florida Greenway in Florida. It was built in the 1960s as part of the former Cross Florida Barge Canal project, designed to allow commercial vessels to navigate a portion of the planned waterway. The lock has been non-operational since 1999. History The concept of a navigable waterway across Florida dates back to at least 1890, when the federal Rivers and Harbors Act established a navigable waterway along the Withlacoochee River. In 1909, a dam was built, creating Lake Rousseau. The Cross Florida Barge Canal project, which included the construction of the Inglis Lock, aimed to connect the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Construction of the lock was completed in the 1960s, and it was opened in 1970. However, the Cross Florida Barge Canal project was never completed. In 1992-1993, surveys of the lock concluded it was unsafe and required millions of dollars for repair. In 1994, the lock's closure was approved, with plans for a nearby portage to provide alternative navigation. The lock was ultimately closed in 1999. Purpose and Design The Inglis Lock was designed to provide access for commercial vessels along the Cross Florida Barge Canal. It acted like "water stairs," raising or lowering barges by filling or emptying the lock chamber. The lock was capable of lifting vessels a considerable height, reported as 26-27 feet. Each operation of the lock required 10 million gallons of water, enough to fill 250,000 bathtubs. Current Status and Recreation The Inglis Lock is now part of the Inglis Lock Recreation Area, managed by Florida State Parks. The lock itself is non-operational, but the area offers various recreational opportunities. Visitors can hike or bike along the mowed barge canal walking trail westward along the Bypass Canal, engage in freshwater bank fishing in Lake Rousseau on the upstream side of the lock, or saltwater fishing along the barge canal shoreline west of the lock. The area also offers access to Inglis Island, a 1,200-acre island on the south side of the lock, accessible via a steel bridge, with extensive multi-use trails. The West Zone field office for the Cross Florida Greenway is located at the Inglis Lock. The Inglis Lock Recreation Area is open daily from 8 AM to sundown, with no entrance fee. Environmental Considerations The Cross Florida Barge Canal project, including the Inglis Lock, faced considerable opposition from environmentalists who raised concerns about potential damage to the Ocklawaha River and the Florida aquifer, which provides drinking water for the state. While the project was halted, efforts continue to address the environmental impact of the unfinished canal and its related structures. For example, there is ongoing debate about the future of the Inglis Lock itself, with some advocating for its repair to allow limited navigation, while others favor its filling to restore the natural flow of the river.