Cape Coral leaders celebrated the removal of the Chiquita Lock on July 25, despite ongoing concern as to how its removal will impact water quality.

The Chiquita Lock was originally constructed in the 1980s to filter polluted water from Cape Coral canals prior to it reaching Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee Estuary.

After Hurricane Ian damaged it in 2022, the Chiquita Lock sat in disrepair, prompting the City of Cape Coral to work to remove the lock instead of repair and update it.

Opponents of repairing the Chiquita Lock cited safety concerns and impaired boater access, though SCCF noted that these concerns could have been addressed through updates to the lock such as creating a high-speed, two-way lock fitted with sensors and manatee exclusion devices.

Instead, the lock’s removal will allow for the continuous free flow of nutrients from the canals into surrounding waters.

SCCF will continue to monitor local water quality trends to track any degradation of the estuary due to the lock’s removal.

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