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Montezuma Slough Boat Lock Update

The California Department of Water Resources advises that it will operate the boat locks at the Salinity Control Structure, located 2.2 nautical miles from the easterly end of Montezuma Slough at coordinates, 38°05'36"N 121°53'07"W, starting January 24, 2007 through May 31, 2007, contingent on hydrologic conditions.

From January 24, 2006, the flashboards will be in place across the maintenance channel, thus vessels can only pass through the boat lock during daylight hours. Until further notice, a boat lock operator will be on duty as follows:

• from 7 am to 5 pm through March 11;
• from 6 am to 6 pm from March 11 until April 30; and
• from 6 am to 10 pm from May 1 until the flashboards have been removed.

The boat lock signal is a standard traffic light. Whistle signals to request opening are two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts. Channel 13 VHF-FM will be monitored during hours of operation. Full instructions on passage including an emergency phone number are posted on site. After dark and until sunrise, the boat lock signal will be set to red indicating no boat passage allowed. Buoys and a barrier will be put in place when there is no boat passage allowed.

The boat lock is located on the east side of the channel and provides the following clearances: 16 feet horizontally; 9 feet over the sill at MLLW; 70 feet in length between sector gates; and no vertical impairment. The piers will be marked by fixed red lights and other parts of the structure by fixed yellow lights.

Mariners should be aware a shoal area exists along the east bank on both sides of the structure extending approximately 50 feet out from the existing levee. Marker buoys have been placed to identify the area. Mariners are also advised that the Salinity Control Structure operations can at times create currents at the site greater than currents in other areas of Montezuma Slough.