Rehabilitation Work Will Begin September 18 and Will Close the Upper Locks

On Tuesday, September 5, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the $1.6 million rehabilitation project for the Upper Locks on the Saranac Chain of Lakes in the Adirondacks. The project is funded by NY Works and will include necessary maintenance and repairs.

“The Saranac Lakes Locks are a unique and essential structure for recreating on more than 5,000 acres of water, including several large lakes,” said Regional Director, Joe Zalewski. “Rehabilitation of these structures is crucial to safe recreational access between Lower and Middle Saranac Lake.”

The work on the locks will be completed by Kingsbury Companies of Middlesex, VT, under DEC supervision.

Rehabilitation work will include:

• Refurbishing the upstream and downstream miter gate lock doors and wicket (filling/emptying) gates, including replacing all seals and bearings;
• Replacing deck boards on the push decks and lever arms;
• Replacing downstream boat dock and shelter; and
• Replacing concrete deck slabs and repairing concrete lock chamber walls and floor

For the duration of the project, the Upper Locks will be closed for use. Canoes and kayaks can be carried around the locks to access either lake. The project is expected to be completed in 2024.

Photo at top courtesy of the NYS DEC.