[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 33, Volume 3]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 33CFR207.187]



[Page 48-50]

 

                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

 

 CHAPTER II--CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF 

                                 DEFENSE

 

PART 207_NAVIGATION REGULATIONS--Table of Contents

 

Sec.  207.187  Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Tex.; special floodgate, lock 

and navigation regulations.



    (a) Application. The regulations in this section shall apply to the 

operation of the Brazos River Floodgates and the Colorado River Locks at 

Mile 400.8 and Mile 441.5, respectively, west of Harvey Lock, La., on 

the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and navigation of the tributary Colorado 

River Channel in the vicinity of said locks.

    (b) Definitions. The term current means the velocity of flow of 

water in the river. It is expressed in statute miles per hour. The term 

``head differential'' means the difference measured in feet between the 

water level in the river and that in the waterway when the floodgates or 

lock gates are closed. The term ``Lockmaster'' means the official in 

charge of the floodgates or locks.



[[Page 49]]



    (c) Operation of floodgates and locks--(1) Unlimited passage. The 

floodgates and locks shall be opened for the passage of single vessels 

and towboats with single or multiple barges when the current in the 

river is less than 2 miles per hour and the head differential is less 

than 0.7 foot. When the head differential is less than 0.7, the Colorado 

River locks shall normally be operated as floodgates, using only the 

riverside gates of each lock.

    (2) Limited passage. When the current in either river exceeds 2 

miles per hour or the head differential at the Brazos River floodgates 

is between the limits of 0.7 foot and 1.8 feet, both inclusive, or the 

head differential at the Colorado River locks is 0.7 foot or greater, 

passage shall be afforded only for single vessels or towboats with 

single loaded barges or two empty barges. When two barges are rigidly 

assembled abreast of each other and the combined width of both together 

is 55 feet or less, they shall be considered as one barge. Each section 

of an integrated barge shall be considered as one barge, except when it 

is necessary to attach a rake section to a single box section to 

facilitate passage, the two sections shall be considered as one barge. 

It shall be the responsibility of the master, pilot or other person in 

charge of a vessel to determine whether a safe passage can be effected, 

give due consideration to the vessel's power and maneuverability, and 

prevailing current velocity, head differential, weather and visibility. 

If conditions are not favorable, passage shall be delayed until 

conditions improve and a safe crossing is assured.

    (3) Gate closures. The Brazos River Floodgates shall be closed to 

navigation when the head differential exceeds 1.8 feet. The Colorado 

River Locks shall be closed to navigation when the current in the river 

exceeds a critical velocity as determined by the District Engineer, U.S. 

Army Engineer District, Galveston, Tex. The Brazos River Floodgates or 

the Colorado River Locks shall be closed to navigation when in the 

opinion of said District Engineer it is required for the protection of 

life and property, or it is to the advantage of the Government to permit 

uninterrupted emergency or maintenance operations, including dredging.

    (4) Mooring facilities. Mooring facilities located on both banks of 

the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway on the approaches to the floodgates and 

locks are for the mooring of vessels when the floodgates or locks are 

closed to navigation or tows are limited to single barges. Vessels 

awaiting passage shall be moored parallel to the bank and as close to 

the bank as possible. Barges shall be moored fore and aft with two 

lines, each to a separate mooring facility. Beaching of vessels in lieu 

of mooring them is prohibited. The mooring facilities are numbered and 

vessels making fast to them shall notify the Lockmaster giving the 

number of each facility being used.

    (5) [Reserved]

    (6) Communication--(i) Radio. The floodgates and locks are equipped 

with short wave radio equipment transmitting and receiving on VHF--FM 

Channels 12, 13, 14 and 16. Call letters for the floodgates are WUI 411 

and for the locks are WUI 412.

    (ii) Telephone. The floodgates and locks are equipped with telephone 

facilities. The floodgates may be reached by phoning Freeport, Tx, 713-

233-1251; the locks may be reached by phoning Matagorda, Tx, 713-863-

7842.

    (7) Arrival posts. Arrival posts 10 feet high and 10 inches in 

diameter have been established on the approaches to the locks and 

floodgates. They are painted with alternate horizontal bands of red and 

white 3 inches wide. Arrival at the floodgates or locks shall be 

determined as provided in paragraph (d)(4) of Sec.  207.180.

    (d) Navigation of the Colorado River Channel--(1) Traffic signals. 

(i) Light and sound signals directed both upstream and downstream on the 

Colorado River are mounted on top of a galvanized skeleton steel tower 

85 feet high located on the northeast point of land at the Gulf 

Intracoastal Waterway crossing of the river. They will be operated from 

the control house of the East Lock of the Colorado River Locks to direct 

the interchange of traffic in the Colorado River and the Gulf 

Intracoastal Waterway.

    (ii) Vessels navigating the Colorado River and desiring passage 

either upstream or downstream through the crossing, or into the crossing 

and



[[Page 50]]



through a lock into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, shall give notice to 

the Lockmaster by two long and distinct blasts of a whistle or horn when 

within a distance of not more than one-half mile nor less than one-

fourth mile from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway crossing. When the locks 

and the crossing are clear of vessels, the Lockmaster shall reply by two 

long and distinct blasts of a whistle or horn and display a green light 

from the signal tower indicating that the vessel in the river may 

proceed across the crossing or into the main stem of the Gulf 

Intracoastal Waterway either eastbound or westbound. When there are 

vessels in the river crossing or in the locks, the Lockmaster shall 

reply by four or more short blasts of a whistle or horn (danger signal) 

and display a red light from the signal tower indicating the vessel in 

the river shall wait at least a quarter of a mile from the crossing for 

clearance. When the locks and crossing are clear of vessels, the 

lockmaster shall indicate to the waiting vessel by two long and distinct 

blasts of a whistle or horn and display of a green light from the signal 

tower indicating that the vessel may proceed across the crossing or into 

the main stem of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway either eastbound or 

westbound. During periods when the red light may be obscured by fog, 

mist, or rain, an audible signal consisting of a long blast followed by 

a short blast of a whistle or horn, repeated every 30 seconds, shall be 

sounded from the signal tower as an adjunct to the red light.

    (2) Signs. Large signs with silver reflective background and stop 

sign red letters are erected one-fourth mile upstream and downstream 

from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway on the Colorado River. The legend 

states ``DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT WHEN SIGNAL TOWER LIGHT IS 

RED.'' These signs must be obeyed.

    Note: The foregoing regulations are supplementary to the regulations 

in Sec.  207.180.



[31 FR 15310, Dec. 7, 1966, as amended at 34 FR 15797, Oct. 14, 1969; 48 

FR 6707, Feb. 15, 1983]