Short answer: Watts Bar Lock is operated by TVA. Hail the lockmaster on VHF channel 13 as you approach, or just call (423) 334-3522 ahead of time. They'd rather you ask than guess. Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the cycle and bring fenders and lines.
Watts Bar Lock connects Watts Bar Lake to the lower Tennessee River, dropping about 60 feet to the next pool. Recreational boaters can use the lock alongside commercial barges; commercial traffic gets priority.
Standard procedure is to call the lock on VHF channel 13 as you approach, request lockage, and follow the lockmaster's instructions. The lock will open the gate when ready, you enter and tie up to the floating bollards or wall, and the chamber fills or drains. Bring fenders, long lines, and a spotter on deck.
The simplest thing if you've never done it: call the lockmaster directly at (423) 334-3522. The lockmasters at Watts Bar are friendly, and if there's anything you're unsure about, they would much rather you ask than create an unsafe situation by guessing. There is no dumb question to a lockmaster.
Allow 30 minutes minimum for a recreational cycle and up to several hours if commercial traffic is queued. Plan your day with the lock cycle in mind.
A functional navigation lock at the dam with bridges and industrial structure for the people who like that, and a solid fishing spot for everyone else.
Watts Bar Lock is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation lock adjacent to Watts Bar Dam in Decatur, TN. Boaters use it to transit between lake levels; anglers on both sides report crappie, striper, and sturgeon in the water around the structure.
The TVA dam that defines the lower end of Watts Bar Lake, with public viewing access from the Spring City side.
Watts Bar Dam is a Tennessee Valley Authority dam at the lower end of Watts Bar Lake near Spring City. It is accessible by road and by water, and a boat ramp at the dam provides the closest public launch to the structure.
No. Lockages on the Tennessee River system are free for recreational boaters.
Channel 13 for working communication with the lock. Channel 16 for hailing in an emergency.
Yes. The Watts Bar lockmaster line is (423) 334-3522. If you have any questions about procedure, timing, or whether commercial traffic is in the queue, call before you cast off. Lockmasters are friendly and would rather field a question than handle a confused boater inside the lock.
Last updated: 2026-04-30