Work on locks begins this month

   The South Florida Water Management District was to temporarily close the navigational locks in Lake Toho (S-61@ Southport) and Lake Kissimmee (S-65 @ SR60) for maintenance work from May 17 through December 31, 2010. During this six month timeframe, boaters will not be able to travel to and from Lake Toho through the canals linking Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha or Lake Kissimmee, nor travel south from Lake Kissimmee via S-65 to the Kissimmee River.
   Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission staff have stressed the importance of completing the maintenance work before January 1, 2011, as there are two fishing tournaments scheduled on the Chain of Lakes next year: one in January and one in February, and the locks must be open.
   The structure gates will be completely accessible throughout the project; nothing should hinder operation of the gates for flood control purposes.