Port Mayaca Lock and Dam, Navigation lock and water control dam at Lake Okeechobee, Florida.
Port Mayaca Lock and Dam is a navigation lock and water control facility at Lake Okeechobee that allows boats to move between different water levels. The lock chamber is 56 feet (17 meters) wide and 400 feet (122 meters) long, with steel sector gates that open to permit passage.
The facility was completed in 1977 as a key part of the Okeechobee Waterway system. It was built to enable boat traffic while managing the lake's water levels for economic uses.
The structure demonstrates how Florida manages water across its landscape, serving both agricultural lands and urban areas through careful regulation of water levels.
The lock operates throughout the day and boats can pass through at regular intervals. Visitors should contact staff ahead of time and monitor marine radio channels to learn about current operating conditions.
The facility includes a spillway system with four vertical lift gates that can manage enormous water flows. This technical design allows it to handle rapid water level changes while keeping the system safe.
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