In just a few days, the Chiquita Lock will be closed for three months.
That’s why the city of Cape Coral has been urging boaters to move their boats behind their homes or to nearby marinas.
The city says earlier in 2020, the Chiquita Lock plan went before an administrative law judge, who approved it to be removed.
The lock has been broken since Hurricane Ian, which has affected boaters.
"If you're not careful, you can slam into the sides pretty easily," said Cape Coral part-resident, John Hager. "I've seen people do it because it's a tight spot."
Hager and other boat owners are excited for smoother seas ahead, once the lock is gone. However, in the meantime, the city said boaters have to move their boats now.
That's why Hager is offering up his boat slip.
"Why not?" he said. "Three months. It's not that big of a deal. We can help people out."
The city said people are asking why the removal didn't happen in the winter.
"The reason that we couldn't actually do it then is because it was manatee mating season, and we weren't permitted to," said Melissa Mickey, Cape Coral public information officer.
Worries over the removal go beyond the temporary effects.
Matt DePaolis, environmental policy director for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, said it will likely have lasting impacts on the Caloosahatchee River.
"Those nutrients are going to be free-flowing into the estuary," he said. "As we load those nutrients, we're going to see more likely harmful algal bloom outbreaks and more macroalgae blooms."
The city said the lock will close next Tuesday morning. It should be completely gone by the beginning of June, but of course, weather could push that date back.