Franklin Lock and Dam

The Franklin Lock and Dam, also known as the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam, is a navigable lock and dam in Olga, Florida, United States.This lock and dam cost $3.8 million, and was constructed in 1965. It is located on the Caloosahatchee River approximately 33mi upstream from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.It is located at latitude 26° 43" 16', longitude -81° 41"40', on the Caloosahatchee River about 33mi upstream of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.Lockage usually takes between 15 and 20 minutes. The lock operates from 6:00 am to 9:30 pm, 365 days a year, unless otherwise stated in "Notice to Mariners", published by the Coast Guard.PurposeThe Franklin Lock and Dam were constructed for flood control, water control, the prevention of salt-water intrusion, and for navigation purposes.Technical informationThe lock chamber is 56ft wide by 400ft long by 14ft high. The lift of the lock is usually 2 to 3ft from sea level to the Caloosahatchee River water level.The channel is 90ft wide by 8ft deep.The lock chamber is concrete, with welded structural steel sector gates, and concrete gate bays. This lock has a discharge capacity of 28,900cuft/s.LockageVesselsApproximately 15,000 vessels pass through annually, of which about 97% are recreational vessels.CommoditiesAbout 13,000 tons of manufactured goods, equipment, crude materials, food, and petroleum products are locked annually.