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Great Bridge Lock

Mile Marker: 11.3
Lat / Lon: N 36° 43.417' / W 076° 14.867'
Number of Chambers: 1
Size: 72' x 600'
Tie Off: Fixed Bollards
VHF Channel: 13
Phone: 757-547-3311
Schedule:
Locks operate on an hourly basis. If you are southbound on the Atlantic ICW going into the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, the locks will admit vessels at 20 minutes past the hour after releasing northbound vessels. Northbound vessels are admitted into the locks at the top of each hour. The locks operate in conjunction with the Great Bridge (Rte. 168) bascule bridge.

5 Boater Comments

These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

Waterway Guide reserves the option of editing reviews and comments for grammar, clarity and the removal of defamatory or potentially slanderous language. When appropriate, reviews are forwarded to businesses for response prior to being made public. We will make every effort to be objective and impartial when posting reviews, but do not publicize details of disputes between parties.

Comment by: Amy SPENCER on May 31, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Gentle water lock, with south wall (port side) having vertical, heavy duty, bumper protection. No need for fenders. Traveling north, prepare port side. We used forward and stern lines with simple loop over cleat at top of wall.

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Comment by: Janet Gannon on Aug 31, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 5.5'

Easy lock. Be aware the bollards are on the south side, so going north be ready with a port tie, going south have a starboard tie. You do not need your fenders, they have big rubber fenders on the wall. If you have a boat sticker, get it ready, everyone puts them on the rubber fenders.

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Comment by: Peter DePaola on Oct 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 59'
Draft: 5.0'

Easy to navigate into and out of. Plus area is clean and well maintained with bright yellow line tie offs to hold your boat while water flows into and out of lock.

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Comment by: Jason Spitz on Jul 26, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

This was the first lock we’ve experienced and the lock tenders couldn’t have made it easier. Due to COVID there are no line handlers so you must handle your own lines. But super easy with a drop of only about 2 feet. Clear instructions were provided and the wall has plenty of bumpers although we also put out fenders. Great fun experience.

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Comment by: Capt. Tony, Yacht Delivery America, on Feb 26, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 63'
Draft: 5.0'

Just called to check if they are under normal schedule. Lockmaster very courteous and professional.

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Great Bridge Lock

5 Boater Comments

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