Fulton Lock facts for kids
Fulton Lock and Dam
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| Waterway | Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Itawamba County |
| Maintained by | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| Operation | Hydraulic |
| First built | 1985 |
| Length | 600 ft (180 m) |
| Width | 110 ft (34 m) |
| Fall | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Coordinates | 34°15′28″N 88°25′29″W / 34.25778°N 88.42472°W |
The Fulton Lock is a very important part of the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway. It's like a giant water elevator for boats! This special structure helps boats move smoothly between different water levels. The Fulton Lock was once known as Lock C.
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What is the Fulton Lock?
The Fulton Lock is a type of structure called a lock and dam. A lock is a closed section of a waterway with gates at both ends. It helps boats go up or down to match the water level on the other side. A dam holds back water, creating a higher water level on one side.
This lock and dam system is vital for the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. It allows ships and boats to travel across Mississippi and Alabama. The Fulton Lock helps connect rivers and streams, making it easier for boats to move goods and people.
Where is the Fulton Lock Located?
The Fulton Lock is found in the city of Fulton, Mississippi. The waterway itself forms the western edge of the city. If you're driving on U.S. Route 78, you'll cross over the waterway on a bridge just south of the lock.
The Fulton Lock is located at "mile 391" on the waterway. This number tells you how far it is from the very beginning of the waterway. The starting point is near the Cochrane–Africatown USA Bridge in Mobile, Alabama.
How the Fulton Lock Was Built
Building the Fulton Lock was a big project! It cost about $28.3 million to construct. When it was finished, it created a large lake north of the dam. This lake covers about 1,643 acres of land.
This new lake is not just for boats. It also has two fun recreation areas for people to enjoy. You can also find the Whitten Historical Center nearby. This center teaches visitors about the history of the waterway.
How Boats Use the Fulton Lock
All the locks on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway use special marine radios. Boats use these radios to talk to the lock operators. They use channel 16 to get ready to enter the lock. The Fulton Lock also has its own unique channel, which is 74.
The locks on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway are always open. They operate 24 hours a day, every day of the week! For very large ships, the lock operates whenever they need it. Smaller boats, like pleasure boats, have specific times to use the Fulton Lock. These times are 5 AM, 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM.
Who Gets to Use the Lock First?
Sometimes, many boats want to use the Fulton Lock at the same time. When this happens, some boats get to go first. This is called "priority of usage." Here's the order from who goes first to who waits last:
- U.S. military craft: Boats from the military always go first.
- Commercial passenger craft: Boats that carry people for money, like tour boats.
- Commercial tows: Large boats that push or pull barges filled with goods.
- Commercial fisherman: Boats used for fishing as a business.
- Pleasure boats: Boats used for fun, like personal boats or yachts.
