Sanders and Maynard Locks Closed for Maintenance

First posted on 09-02-2010

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is closing the Emmett Sanders and Col. Charles D. Maynard locks on the lower Arkansas River. The locks will be closed to river traffic through Sept. 12 so workers can perform scheduled maintenance and inspection.

Emmett Sanders Lock is east of Pine Bluff and Col. Charles D. Maynard Lock is north of Pine Bluff. Officials at the Army Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock district advise commercial shippers and pleasure boaters to plan around the lock closures.

During the maintenance, boaters and shippers may use all of the other 16 locks on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Vessels will not be able to lock through either of the two locks until the dewaterings are complete.

Two of the 18 locks on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System are dewatered each year. Thirteen locks are in Arkansas and are operated by the Corps’ Little Rock District. The remaining five are in Oklahoma under the Tulsa District. Both districts work together on the dewaterings.

During the maintenance period, temporary barriers are installed outside each lock gate. The lock is drained to allow access to areas normally under water. Workers inspect the lock and repair worn or damaged parts.

Officials say that while this routine can cause some inconvenience to boaters and commercial shippers, it is preferable to a breakdown that can result in long, unscheduled lock closures. Should the work be completed ahead of schedule on either lock, it will reopen at that time.

Share | |