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30 | I NSIGH T • M a y 2 0 1 6 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m TOURISM/RESORTS under budget. Locks in Kaukauna are scheduled for full operation in 2017. As the locks draw more attention to the river, many are seeing unique tourism opportunities to cater to boaters, paddlers and those who just love being by the river. "Anything we can do as a community that speaks to a unique visitor experience is going to be an asset," says Pam Seidl, executive director of the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau. "is is one of perhaps two hand-operated lock systems le in the country, which is pretty unique history." As use of the system grows, Seidl can envision new opportunities for waterfront dining and other amenities that are complementary to being on the water, "Places you can boat to, hop out, eat lunch, then get back on the water." Some of those opportunities have already blossomed. e lock tender house at Little Chute has been restored to how it would have appeared in the 1930s and is now accepting reservations as a bed and breakfast. e De Pere lock tender house has also been restored and leased as a coffee house. e Authority has longer-term plans to restore the remaining six lock tender houses. As the usage of the system increases, developer Randy Stadtmueller expects both tourism-related and commercial developments will evolve. Stadtmueller says mixed-use developments featuring residential and commercial uses will spring up to cater to those who want to live and play in the area. "e river will once again link all the different communities," says Stadtmueller, who has been involved with opening up the river since the 1980s when Future Neenah helped develop Shattuck Park along the Fox River. "From Lock #4 in Appleton to the Cedars, five beautiful miles of river have finally been opened up. ere is a lot of opportunity there," Stadtmueller says. It's been a long time coming for Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna, a longtime advocate of connecting the riverfront and downtown as part of an overall tourism and economic development strategy. Downtowns will benefit from increased use of the system, he says. "Activity on the river is going to bring in more people who will also be interested in the other amenities we have," Hanna says. "e more we can solidify the connection, the more we can all benefit." ere are still challenges remaining, though. While the Authority has always planned to keep the lock at Rapide Croche closed as a barrier against invasive species, the discovery of round gobi by the Neenah With the lock closed, water flows into the lock chamber through a tunnel or through openings in the gate doors. This is done until the water level reaches the same height as the upstream level. The upper gates are cranked open using hand winches. Boats proceed into the lock. The upper gates are then closed, forming a watertight chamber. The lock staff move to the lower gates and open the sluice valves to drain the lock chamber to the downstream water level. Then the lower gates can be cranked open allowing the upstream boat traffic to proceed downstream as well as the downstream boat traffic to enter the lock to be lifted to the higher water level. Graphic by Joe Heller/Press Gazette How a lock works C O U R T E S Y F O X R I V E R N A V I G AT I O N S Y S T E M A U T H O R I T Y