Fox Locks

10/29/2024

The Fox Locks are run by a volunteer board of directors that have invested their personal time in the restoration and management of this historic system. Learn why this is important from board member Tim Short:

The Fox Locks are managed by a volunteer board of directors appointed by Wisconsin's Governor. In addition, representatives from the state DOT, DNR, and the ...

10/22/2024

check it out! And we think it has a lot to do with the historic and beautiful locks!
https://www.thetravel.com/coolest-small-towns-in-america-with-the-best-quality-of-life/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGE8klleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHURPjFSFdcbNfG3F-FbD7j5UKAk1vkGEdK5VEXOq-0iq5IlA55odyNpd_g_aem_UASVzGOhWp0RgVQBKUNtCg

Small-town America is a way of life in these towns that promotes a quieter life, tighter community living, and lower costs.

10/21/2024

When boats blew their horns in the early 1900s, there was a saying: “one for danger, two for dock, three for bridge, and four for lock.” Our lock tenders bring history to life as they operate the locks by hand, just as they did 150 years ago.

This could be the most fund part time job you'll ever have! Learn more about the people who open the giant lock gates and greet our customers--and hear from ...

10/14/2024

In 2001, state law created the Fox River Navigational System Authority. It wasn't until 2004 that ownership of the lock system was transferred from the Army Corps of Engineers to the State of Wisconsin.

In 1838, Wisconsin Territorial Governor Henry Dodge asked congressional approval for the sale of 150,000 acres of land to fund improvements of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. Congress approved, noting the military importance of a canal to facilitate movement of troops from the Great Lakes to the Weste...

10/02/2024

REMEMBER: This is your last weekend to get your boat off the Fox River through the locks in Little Kaukauna and DePere. https://foxlocks.org/schedule-and-operations/lock-hours-procedures/

09/30/2024

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: The FREE Fall Colors Cruise! No fees, no problem! Grab the kids, the grandparents, the neighbors, and cruise through the De Pere and Little Kaukauna locks for one last time this season. Free all weekend! https://www.facebook.com/events/469648546012805

09/25/2024

Remember: Oct. 5&6 is the last weekend to get your boats out of the river through the lower locks (Little Kaukauna and De Pere). Check out our schedule https://foxlocks.org/schedule-and-operations/lock-hours-procedures/

09/23/2024

Make plans the weekend of Oct 6 for one last cruise through the locks. Our FREE FALL WEEKEND can take you through Little Kaukauna and De Pere for one last river run. Remember, this is our largest section of navigable water on the Fox--20 miles with (hopefully) beautiful fall colors! https://www.facebook.com/events/469648546012805

09/20/2024

How does a lock work? it's all about gravity and manual operation. Learn more:

Learn how a lock on the Lower Fox River works! Built in 1850, the Fox River Lock system is the only hand-operated, fully restored lock system in the country....

09/18/2024

The locks aren't just for boaters! Bring your kids and grandkids to De Pere this weekend and watch the locks in action!

09/14/2024

The drop in elevation from Menasha to the Bay of Green Bay equals the height of Niagra Falls--the difference is its over about 40 miles!

09/11/2024

Did you know: the locks are completely manual. No electric motors, no pumps, no automatic valves. Nearly 500,000 gallons of water moved in/out during each “lockage” thanks to some clever engineering that took place over 150 years ago. https://foxlocks.org

09/09/2024

The Kaukauna locks may be closed for the season, but the Kaukauna Locks Trail is always open for business! This beautiful trail passes by all five Kaukauna locks and gives you a beautiful view of the river. https://foxlocks.org/kaukauna-locks-trail/

09/06/2024

When you're cruising the river, what would you rather see? Rotting timers and broken metal or the beautifully restored locks? Check out what it looked like before and after restoration.

09/04/2024

SUMMER IS NOT OVER (at least not from our vantage point!) Our busiest locks are open weekends through October 6 and you can cruise 20 miles of navigable river from Wrightstown to the Bay of Green Bay. Hope to see you at the locks! https://foxlocks.org/schedule-and-operations/lock-hours-procedures/

09/03/2024

Thanks to all of you who supported the locks this summer and we hope to see you on shore or on the water next summer! Remember, we are the largest fully restored, hand operated lock system in the nation.

Learn how a lock on the Lower Fox River works! Built in 1850, the Fox River Lock system is the only hand-operated, fully restored lock system in the country....

08/30/2024

Happy Labor Day weekend! Remember, all locks except Little Kaukauna and De Pere close after the holiday weekend. https://foxlocks.org/schedule-and-operations/lock-hours-procedures/