Sneads- Area boaters and Jackson County tourism could take a hit if the threat of closing a local boat lock goes into effect.

For years boaters have been able to travel back and forth to and from the Apalachicola River and Lake Seminole by passing through the lock at the Jim Woodruff dam in Sneads. The dam separates the two at the Chattahoochee.

But, according to the US Corps of Engineers, the lock has become unpopular and costs more than it's worth to keep it open. The group could stop locking for recreational boaters by October.

News channel 7 spoke with park visitors Monday who told us locals were not pleased to hear about what appears to be an inevitable shut down.

Bauldree Rochelle of Quincy has been fishing and boating at the river since she was a young girl. She said her brothers helped build the dam and the recreational area has been special spot for her and her family.

"Everybody has just been here forever- fishing, and you know, I think it would be bad. Because we're natives of here, and I just think it would be bad" Rochelle said.

We're told several Jackson County wildlife and tourism groups have been working to overturn the policy.