The Locks / Little Chute

UPDATE 5.10.17: The bridge at the Little Chute lock is temporarily not in operation. You may navigate the river at this lock based on the clearance between the water surface and bridge which is between 4′ and 7′ depending on the water level.

Open for river traffic in 2017, this lock welcomes you to the heart of Holland! Boaters can use public docks to access the the Island Park Trail connecting Doyle Park with Heesakker Park. Along the walk, you’ll find opportunities to see wildlife including osprey which nest on elevated platforms and whitetail deer. The historic lock house was once home to lock tenders who needed to be availble night and day to move boats through the lock. The home is a 1.5 story, Colonial Revival style home restored to its condition in 1936. The home is available for overnight rentals, please book through AirBNB.

A short walk up the hill on Grand Avenue takes you to the Little Chute Windmill, an authentic, fully functioning 1850s windmill from the Netherlands. The 100-foot tall structure was designed and built in the Netherlands, disassembled, shipped to Little Chute and reassembled. It is open for tours April-Labor Day. More information at www.littlechutewindmill.org. In the shadow of the massive sails are coffee shops, taverns and supper clubs—all giving you a unique taste of Dutch heritage and Wisconsin hospitality!

The Lock itself is living history of the construction methods used in the lock sytem. You are able to see the evolution of building materials on display in this lock starting with stacked stone rubble, stacked stone, quarried stone, then wood timber liners and eventually reinforced concrete locks.