Mississippi River Locks and Dams 
Those water stairs providing boats and barges safe passage.

The river’s staircase floating huge barges on the Upper Mississippi River is a massive river-altering infrastructure. In the 1930s during the Great Depression, a series of 29 dams and locks were installed on the river above St.Louis to allow barges and boats to travel through safely. 

My first lock experience on our nation’s river is with Lock and Dam #2 located at mile 815.2, a short distance upstream from Hastings, Minnesota. The eastern dam portion is 722 feet wide and has 19 tainter gates, each 30 feet wide to control the river's flow. The lock is 110 feet wide and 600 feet long. This size allows entry for three barges wide and five long, 15 in total at any one time.  

When I approach this dam in my 23-inch wide kayak, I am awed by this massive feat of engineering. My heartbeat is racing, but no faster than my thoughts. I have no understanding of the rules for safe passage and there is no other boat to follow or anyone to offer guidance.

Not knowing what to expect I wonder, will I be swept over the locks to my left? Will I be pulled under from a sudden drop or rise in water levels? Do I enter from the right or to the left? Will I be sharing the lock with a tugboat, barge, or another boat? Do I pay a toll? 

Hell, I don’t know and my ignorance is unsettling.​

After paddling around and aimlessly searching for any clue as to what to do, I see a small sign indicating ahead on the lock approach wall there is a signal cord. Approaching slowly and on high alert for potential danger, I make my way and reach for the cord nearly beyond my outstretched arms. I hear a muffled horn, a green signal is given, and a man speaking over an intercom gives me instructions on how to approach.

​Clearly, the lockmaster has been watching me and asks what I was doing walking around the property. The posted Department Of Defense signs were clear, NO TRESPASSING. I had to sheepishly admit that this was my first time through. He didn’t seem surprised.
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Having the lock to myself and tethered to the wall via a loose hanging rope, the giant gates behind me close. I enjoy the gentle descent as they release the water on the other end. About 10 minutes later the giant gates on the south end slowly open. Another sound of horn and green light grant me permission to leave, and I am on my way.