Torry Island to Franklin Lock on Okeechobee Waterway

We got an early start to head through the Point Chosen Torry Island bridge which is manned by the operator of the fish camp. It took three guys coming in pickup trips to walk to the center of the bridge and hand crank it open. We passed by Clewiston Lock that was open off to the side leading to a marina. We passed through Moore Haven Lock with about an 8 foot change. The Glades Boat Storage looked full and busy. Not much boat traffic and no one in sight at LaBelle. A women bridge tender opened the Fort Denaud Swing Bridge for us. A thunderstorm was chasing us and we were going to anchor near Hickey Creek, a Skipper Bob anchorage, and the landowner came down in a golf cart and waved us off and pointed out a string of buoys he had blocked the oxbow anchorage with. We were not far from the Franklin Lock and slid into one of the Corp of Engineer slips right before the rain started. We had power and electricity and a pleasant cool evening. The campground extends on both sides of the lock and we enjoyed our coffee under one of the shaded awning picnic tables at each campsite overlooking the fishing pier at the dam.

Torry Island Swing Bridge

Fish camp bridge tender

Great Blue Heron on dolphins you can tie up to

Alligator attack

Alligators crossing the waterway

Manatees spotted

Boat ramps and docks along the waterway

Moore Haven Lock

Glade Boat Storage

Fort DaNaud Swing Bridge

Lady bridge tender