Planned electrical upgrades will close Franklin Lock all of Tuesday

WGCU | By WGCU Staff

Published February 2, 2026 at 11:49 AM EST

The W.P. Franklin Lock on the Caloosahatchee River in Alva will be closed for one day to support maintenance on Jan. 18.

Boaters on the Caloosahatchee River should be aware that the Franklin Lock will likely be closed for the entire day on Tuesday this week.

The reason for the closure is an upgrade to the lock's electrical systems, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.

More from WGCU

Environment

Introduction to Snowy Egrets

Dr. Jerry Jackson

With its all-white plumage, black bill, black legs, and bright yellow face and feet, the Snowy Egret is a stunning and easily recognized bird – one that I often refer to as the “bird with the golden slippers.”So why does the Snowy Egret have yellow feet? Perhaps to keep it from stabbing its own feet as it searches for the small creatures it eats. The intensity of the yellow on both its face and its feet becomes brightest during the breeding season, thus it probably also plays a role in courtship – perhaps serving as an indicator of the health of the bird.
Arts & Culture

FGCU Jazz Combo will perform original student compositions inspired by artist Onajide Shabaka

Tom Hall

The FGCU Jazz Combo will perform original student compositions inspired by multidisciplinary Miami artist Onajide Shabaka on Feb. 3. His exhibition, “Becoming Tomorrow’s Dream,” is on view in the Wasmer Gallery in the Arts Complex at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Education

Nova Classical STEM Academy to hold open house Saturday in Fort Myers: What's in the name?

Dayna Harpster

Housing

Moving stress measured across 355 US metro areas -- Southwest Florida ranks among the highest

WGCU Staff

Moving can be a stressful endeavor: selling your home, showing your home to prospective buyers, negotiating a price, buying another home, packing up, unpacking — it can be a high-stress activity.Research carried out by federally legal cannabis retailer, Mood, analyzed 355 U.S. metro areas across and found seven of the top 10 most stressful places for moving are in Florida and four of them are right here in Southwest Florida — Naples, Punta Gorda, North Port and Cape Coral.
Environment

Third Florida panther death reported in 2026; suspected vehicle strike in Polk County

WGCU Staff

A third panther death is being reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the suspected victim of a vehicle collision. The injured 3-year-old, male Florida panther was rescued on January 28 in Polk County in Central Florida by ZooTampa, at the direction of the FWC, for treatment and assessment by their veterinary team.
Science/Tech

Preparing for NASA’s return to the moon on a manned flight

WGCU News, Kate Cronin

Next month, the window will officially be open for a NASA manned flight that will circumnavigate Earth’s closest celestial partner to track potential landing sites for an official moon landing.

Planned electrical upgrades will close Franklin Lock all of Tuesday

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning