The Canaveral Barge Canal is an active canal in Brevard County, Florida, cutting east-west across northern Merritt Island just south of Cape Canaveral. It connects the Atlantic Ocean and Port Canaveral with the Indian River and wider Indian River Lagoon, part of the Intracoastal Waterway. The canal consists of two segments separated by the Banana River.[2]

Canaveral Barge Canal
Barge canal, looking towards the Christa McAuliffe Bridge
LocationBrevard County, Florida
CountryUnited States
Coordinates28°24′33″N 80°41′37″W / 28.40917°N 80.69361°W / 28.40917; -80.69361
Specifications
Maximum boat draft12 feet (3.7 m)[1]
Locks1
Total rise3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m)[1]
StatusOpen
Navigation authorityU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
History
Date of first useJanuary 1, 1965
Geography
Start pointAtlantic Ocean
End pointIndian River
Connects toBanana River, Port Canaveral, Intracoastal Waterway, Sykes Creek

The canal was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1965 to allow the transport of crude oil by barge to two power plants south of Titusville, Florida. The design was expanded during the planning stage to enable the transport of Saturn rocket stages to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for the Apollo program.[1]

Canaveral Lock, the canal's only lock and the largest navigation lock in Florida, is located on the eastern segment. It has a rise of 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) and protects Canaveral Harbor from tidal currents, storm surge, and salt water. The lock is free of charge and takes 20 to 30 minutes for watercraft to traverse.[1]

Vessels with drafts up to 12 feet (3.7 m) may use the canal,[1] which was intended for barges but not ships (the adjacent Port Canaveral allows drafts up to 39.5 feet (12.0 m)[3]). The canal is popular with recreational boaters, providing access to Sykes Creek and various marinas. The next-closest passages between the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean are Ponce de Leon Inlet, 50 miles (80 km) to the north, and Sebastian Inlet, 40 miles (64 km) to the south.[2]

List of crossings

edit
Bridge Type Carries Location Coordinates
Christa McAuliffe Bridge Bascule drawbridge   SR 3 / Courtenay Parkway Merritt Island 28°24′26″N 80°42′24″W / 28.40722°N 80.70667°W / 28.40722; -80.70667
Barge Canal Bridge   SR 401 28°24′32″N 80°37′55″W / 28.40889°N 80.63194°W / 28.40889; -80.63194
 
The Barge Canal Bridge is actually three adjacent bridges, each of which includes a bascule draw span.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e "Jacksonville District – Canaveral Lock". www.saj.usace.army.mil. US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Canaveral Barge Canal Harbor in Merritt Island, FL, United States". marinas.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Port of Port Canaveral, U.S.A." www.findaport.com. Shipping Guides Ltd. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
edit