Did you know that it takes about an hour to regenerate the water in the Appleton navigation canals after the locks are opened? That’s why we have what might seem to be an unusual operational schedule for Appleton lock 1 (near the Yacht Club) and Appleton lock 4 (near River Heath). Appleton lock 1 operates […]
Boat traffic through the lock system on the lower Fox River is up over past years, an indication that regional residents are choosing recreational activities closer to home during this time of pandemic. In June of 2020, a total of 1,250 motorized and non-motorized crafts passed through the lock system carrying 5,055 passengers. This is […]
Many of the business practices we have at the Fox River Navigational System Authority already take into account social distancing simply due to the nature of our work at the locks. However, to comply with CDC guidelines and state recommendations, we are following these procedures to increase personal safety and limit exposure to the coronavirus. […]
Many of the locks feature portages for kayaks or canoes and it is a great way to visit the locks and the Fox River. However, in recent years, people have been trespassing on the land and accessing the river at the closed Rapide Croche lock. According to Wisconsin state statute, this lock must remain closed […]
The new chair of the Fox River Navigational System Authority is no stranger to the organization. We welcome back former board member Ron Van De Hey to serve as board chairman. He was appointed by Gov. Evers to fill out the remainder of Tim Rose’s term due to his passing. Ron previously served on the […]
Plans are underway to open the locks for the 2020 navigation season, but Governor Evers safer at home order will delay the official opening until Saturday, May 30. Originally several of the busier locks were scheduled to be open by mid-May, but the official opening to full navigation is tentatively scheduled for 5.30.20. “As a state […]
Where else can you spend your summer on the water, be part of living history, and get paid for it? The Fox Locks are hiring for seasonal lock tenders–and since we are the only fully-restored hand-operated lock system in the nation, this is a unique job. The locks are opened and closed using a […]
Construction is underway rebuild a section of the canal wall that abuts the Kaukauna Utilities hydroelectric plant on the eastern side of the lock. Over the years, the force of the water in the canal and the effects of winter weather and heavy rains eroded the canal wall structure creating a small sink hole. In […]
The Fox River Navigational System Authority board of directors approved conducting a suite of studies to provide more complete information to the DNR on the behavior of round gobies in an electric barrier environment. This series of studies would provide the following information: Comprehensive information about the round goby’s ability to swim against water velocity at […]
Enjoy some of the historic photos from our archives. If you can identify the location or the date for any of these photos, please send us an email on our contact page. Enjoy the walk back in time!