Canaveral Lock:

Passage to the Ocean…and Space

The Canaveral Lock system is a part of Port Canaveral. It was built in 1965 as a passage between the Banana River and Port Canaveral. It is the largest navigation lock in the the state of Florida.

The water level of the Banana River averages 3-4 feet higher than the water level in Port Canaveral, depending on the tide.

To Banana River

Features of Canaveral Lock Area

Cruise Basin

To Banana River

To Atlantic Ocean

Lock gates

Drawbridge

E

W

SN

To pass through the lock, boats approach from either end. The captains signal the lock operator,

who opens the gate at that end of the lock.

The lock gates at that end of the lock open.

This allows the water level inside the lock to even out with the water level outside that

gate.

Finally the gates are opened enough for the boats to enter the lock.

After the boats enter the lock, the

gates are closed. The lock operator

rides a bicycle down to the other end of the

lock to open the second

set of gates.

Boats tie their “stern lines” to the sides of the lock as the second set of gates open 5-6 feet.

The small opening allows water levels inside and outside the lock to even out. In this case, the water in the Banana River flows in to lift

the level in the lock.

Birds gather on the lock gates to feast on the fish that are pulled by the flow into the lock.

The water in the Banana River is brackish—meaning it’s a lot less salty than the ocean water. As the water from the Banana River

pours in, it flows over the saltier water in the lock.

saltier water of the lock

water from Banana River

Can you spot the line separating Banana River water and saltwater?

As the water level evens out, the gates at this end open fully and the boats move out of the

lock…

and continue on their adventures.

Up to 30 boats can fit in the lock at any one time.

Boats heading in the opposite direction can enter the lock when the gates are open. Then

the process reverses itself.

The Canaveral Lock system is an integral part of NASA’s space program. Both the external tank and the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) pass through the lock.

external tank

SRB

The external tank is placed on a special barge at its processing facility in Louisiana.

It travels through the Gulf of Mexico, around the tip of Florida, and into Port Canaveral.

As it passes the Cruise Basin, the drawbridge is opened, allowing the oversized barge to pass through.

Canaveral Lock is the only lock in the world that space vehicles travel through. The barge/

tugboat system was specially made to fit in the lock.

After passing through the lock and dropping the tank off at Kennedy Space Center, the

empty barge passes back through the lock on its way home to Louisiana.

When the Space Shuttle launches, it needs two Solid Rocket Boosters to help it leave

Earth’s gravity. Once the SRBs are no longer needed, the shuttle drops them into the ocean. Two ships, the Liberty Star and Freedom Star retrieve the boosters. They return them to Kennedy Space Center by passing through Port Canaveral and the

lock.

SRB

The SRB is pulled up next to the recovery ship to fit into the Canaveral Lock.

The lock is also a habitat for animals.

When using Canaveral Lock, it’s important to keep an eye (or a nose) out for possible dangers.

These animals depend on humans for their safe passage.

dolphin

Boats must go through the lock at “idle speed.”

brown pelican

The lock gates have special features that prevent the animals from getting caught.

manatee

blue crab

sheepshead

moon jelly

The Canaveral Lock—a home for nature and a passage to adventure.