Franklin Lock and Dam

Franklin Lock and Dam is a navigation structure on the Caloosahatchee River that raises and lowers vessels between different water levels using a concrete chamber system. The facility allows boats to pass through the river in both directions and connects different sections of the waterway.

The lock was completed in 1965 and named after a former mayor of Fort Myers who championed waterway development in the region. It has since become a vital part of local infrastructure for navigation and water management.

The lock serves as a meeting point where recreational boaters gather while waiting for passage through the waterway. People come here regularly to experience the working machinery and watch vessels move through the chambers.

Visitors should arrive during daylight hours to see the lock in operation and watch boats pass through the system. There are viewing areas where you can easily observe the locking process from a good vantage point.

Most boats using the lock are small recreational vessels, yet a steady flow of cargo also passes through daily. This blend of leisure and commerce happening side by side makes the facility quite different from larger shipping locks.