From the automated locks we have come across, it isn't possible to open the upstream sluices until the down stream sluices are closed, could have been a problem with the downstream sensors that caused this? To be honest, we leave the locks closed and sluices closed whicheve way we are travelling, can't see the reason behind it either, especially considering how much water is wasted during periods where we have been wityhout rain for a while, heaven forbid that should happen