Flight of Locks

adventures • June 22, 2026

I joined a group that kayaked through the Waterford Flight of the Locks. We paddled about 1.5 miles with a total elevation drop of about 169 feet.

Starting at the Flightlock Road Boat Launch, we had a short paddle to the first lock. After our group entered, the enormous gates closed behind us. Soon, the water level started dropping, taking us with it. Once the water dropped to match the lower canal, the downstream gates opened and it was a short paddle to the next one.

We paddled through five locks and ended at the Waterford Boat Launch. We made good time, about two hours, and only had to wait once while three boats came up through a lock.

Looking down the canal. A dark metal bridge is above the canal with another bridge in the distance. The water is a dark murky green.

A shot from the side of the canal. The murky green canal water meets lush green trees and bushes with an inlet.

From the side of the canal, a red brick building that appears to be a church with a green steeple. A bright blue sky tries to peak though big fluffy white clouds in the sky. The murky green water is interrupted by a reflection of the blues and whites of the sky.

A selfie inside a lock. I'm wearing a green bucket hat and sunglasses. The water in the lock is a murky greenish brown. The dark walls of the lock surround me in the background.

At each lock, great blue herons swooped along waiting for fish.

A great blue heron looks away on the side of the canal, its blue-gray feathers ruffled by the wind.

Looking back down the canal. The dark murky green water with a bridge in the distance. About a dozen kayakers in the far distance.

The following photo shows the gate opening after going through the last lock. From the walls, the dark water line indicates the level our kayaks were at when we first entered.

From inside the lock, tall concrete walls flank either side. From the opening a kayaker makes their way through the open gates. Two metal bridges in the distance with the murky green canal flowing under.

It was quite an amazing water elevator journey.

Keep reading adventures

Older