The Soo Locks in the U.P. of Michigan offers a number of possibilities as you explore and learn more about the system that allows freighters to navigate the Great Lakes and help with the shipping industry.
(Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) - The Soo Locks are located on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
The Locks have been recognized as vitally important since World War II, since they connect Lake Superior to the other four Great Lakes and water beyond.
The man-made marvel is the busiest lock system in the world, by cargo tonnage. On average, between seven and ten thousand ships come through the locks during the shipping season each year.
100% of iron ore passes through the locks annually.
Ships from all over the world visit the port as the locks are part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway which connects Duluth, Minnesota to the Atlantic.
The locks are powered by gravity as the water moves in and out of the lock chambers by just opening and closing valves.
FUN FACTS
- The Soo Locks are 100% gravity-fed and require no pumps.
- To lift or lower a boat, the Poe Lock alone requires an astonishing 22 million gallons of water.
- During repairs, the locks are closed from January 15 to March 25 each year.
- The bedrock beneath the locks is 1,000 feet thick and is made from reddish sandstone.
- It would take 584 train cars to move 70,000 tons of cargo or one 1,000ft freighter.
- The Paul R. Tregurtha is the largest freighter that uses the Poe Lock. It measures in at 1,013.5′ feet long and 105′ wide.
There is a visitors center and museum and boat tours as well.
The Soo Locks Visitor Center is located in Sault Ste Marie in Michigan's Chippewa County. The center is fittingly situated in the Upper Canal Park. The Park serves as an excellent place to watch passing boats going through the Locks at the observation platform.
The Soo Locks Boat Tours provides an educational tour of historic Sault Ste. Marie and an engaging experience of passing through the Soo Locks.
Personal boats are also able to go through the locks.
More information on the Soo Locks can be found at: https://saultstemarie.com/attractions/soo-locks/
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