South Gulf Cove Parallel Locks Project

Project Description

This project consists of the permitting, surveying, engineering, and design of a parallel Lock, at the existing South Gulf Cove Locks location. This project will be funded through the SGC MSBU tax money. The Parallel Locks Project was initiated by request of the SGC MSBU due to the need for additional access in and out of the SGC waterway system. With the population steadily growing in Florida, specifically in this area, there is a growing number of boaters. Resulting in a higher traffic volume level through the existing lock. There have been reoccurring maintenance issues with the existing lock, with periods of downtime. It's because of these issues that this project is being initiated. To provide additional and timelier access and a secondary option of access in and out of the system.

Project Location

Project Impacts

Latest Updates

Lock and Tender House Projects:  The County Design Consultant DMK completed the 60% construction plans for the Parallel Lock in early 2021. They were working towards 90% plans until we added the Tender House to the design. Lock design was temporarily slowed until Tender House design can be advanced to the same. We received FDEP approval for this project but have not been able to obtain a ACOE permit due to lack of approval from US Fish and Wildlife Service. USFWS has stated an incidental take for manatee will need to be issued due to manatee Lock entrapment deaths. There has been a history of manatee deaths from being crushed by the lock in SGC. County staff is working on a work around for the situation in trying to obtain the necessary permits. DMK recently completed 30 percent plans for the Tender House, and they were reviewed by county staff and returned with comments. Tender House plans will now be advanced to 60 percent to then be completed in conjunction with the Lock plans.  The Geotechnical Exploration report for the Tender House was just completed and added to design components. DMK provided an update recently stating 60% Tender House design will be complete within a couple month. From there the entire project will advance towards 90%.

Waterways update as of December 13, 2024:  At the MSBU Waterway Advisory Committee meeting held on May 22, 2024, County staff were informed of the need for spot dredging at 3 locations on the system inside of the lock.  These locations will be examined on the most recent survey of the interior waterways.  The Advisory Committee is also supposed to be identifying any other locations in need of spot dredging. 

Waterways update as of March 4, 2025:  County staff presented the findings of the most recent surveys for both the interior and exterior channels at the MSBU Waterway Advisory Committee meeting held on December 18, 2024. While there are some isolated areas of shoaling greater than one foot on the interior system, the Committee voted to give priority to dredging the exterior channel due to significant shoaling that has occured there.  County staff shall proceed accordingly. 

Waterways update as of March 28, 2025:  Coastal Engineering Consultants has been hired to perform a survey of the exterior channel.  A Request for Letters of Interest will be issued in the coming weeks for hiring a consultant to prepare plans for a dredging project on the exterior channel. 

Waterways update as of April 11, 2025:  The field work to complete the survey of the exterior channel and turning basin is expected to be completed before the end of April.  An Emergency Permit for Dredging due to Hurricane Milton was submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today.  A Request for Letters of Interest will be issued in the coming weeks for hiring a consultant to prepare plans for a dredging project on the exterior channel.    

Waterways update as of May 9, 2025:  The field work for the survey of the exterior channel and turning basin was completed.  The final version of the survey has been completed.  If shoaling can be attributed to Milton, then an Engineering Assessment Report can be submitted for a FEMA claim.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has determined that we did not meet any of the criteria required for an emergency dredging permit.  The Request for Letters of Interest has been sent to the Purchasing Department for publication to contract with a consulting firm to prepare plans for the dredging project.  

Budget

Schedule

Supporting Materials