Crooked River Lock in Alanson to remain closed for fall
ALANSON — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will keep the Crooked River Lock in Alanson closed for the remainder of the 2023 season as engineers perform critical maintenance.
The decision to keep the lock closed was made on Thursday, Sept. 14 between the Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District and Emmet County leadership for the safety of the public. While the lock is closed, officials will conduct a thorough inspection and develop a repair plan to prevent unscheduled 2024 closures.
The lock has been closed since an electrical malfunction on Aug. 24. Initially, officials said replacement parts were expected by Sept. 15. According to the latest press release from the Army Corps, the replacement parts for a faulty safety relay allowing the lock to reliably open and close remain on backorder.
More: Army Corps working to restore Crooked River Lock in Alanson after malfunction
Boaters will not be able to pass through the lock between the mouth of Crooked River and Crooked Lake during the closure.
Historically, the Crooked River Lock shifts to weekend operations in October and closes in November for the winter.
“Closing the lock early for the season will allow our maintenance team time to develop a plan and make long-term repairs to this important recreational lock, providing safe and reliable passages for the public,” said Cindy Jarema, chief of operations and maintenance for the Detroit District.
The lock also had a temporary malfunction on July 4, but Army Corps technicians were able to return it to full operation within 24 hours.
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The Detroit District, in conjunction with Emmet County, operates the lock under an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The lock is part of the 36-mile Inland Waterway beginning at Lake Huron. An estimated 10,000 lockages are performed annually through the lock, which results in passage for up to 40,000 recreational boat passengers during the spring to fall season.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Crooked River Lock in Alanson to remain closed for fall
