Industrial Canal Lock

The Industrial Canal Lock is a navigation lock in New Orleans that allows vessels to pass between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain through a single chamber. Shallow-draft barges and tow boats regularly use this passage as part of their journey through the Intracoastal Waterway system.

The lock opened in 1923 as a critical connection for water-based commerce in the region. Major refurbishment took place in 1998 when the original gates were overhauled to extend the structure's operational life.

The lock stands at the center of community discussions regarding infrastructure development, with residents participating in initiatives to address environmental and safety concerns.

The easiest way to view the lock in action is from the levee or nearby public areas where you can watch vessels moving through the chamber. Visit during daylight hours in the morning when barge traffic is most active and visible.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains this lock, which operated with a toll system of 5 cents per gross ton until federal intervention ended the practice.