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Chris Peppel | profile | all galleries >> Panama >> 16FEB07 - Panama Canal tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

16FEB07 - Panama Canal

Wow. An engineering marvel...began in 1903 and still operating today much as it was designed. You enter the locks at sea level and after three steps up, ships are raised 84 feet (that's a lot when you consider how much you're lifting) and drive across Gatun Lake. Gatun Lake was created by damming the Chagres River and the transit across the lake accounts for 40-ish of the 51 miles to transit the entire canal. There are two lanes, both bi-directional in each set of locks - and NO PUMPS. The entire system runs off gravity from the water held back in Gatun Lake. Quite an experience!
Pierside
Pierside
Pierside Canal Traffic
Pierside Canal Traffic
Underway Guidance
Underway Guidance
Mule
Mule
Entering Miraflores Lock 1
Entering Miraflores Lock 1
Miraflores Lock 1, Ready to Lift
Miraflores Lock 1, Ready to Lift
Miraflores Lock 1, Lifted
Miraflores Lock 1, Lifted
Miraflores, Transition to Lock 2
Miraflores, Transition to Lock 2
Miraflores Lock 2, Mules Pulling
Miraflores Lock 2, Mules Pulling
Miraflores Lock 2, Ready to Lift
Miraflores Lock 2, Ready to Lift
Miraflores Lock 2, Lifted
Miraflores Lock 2, Lifted
Miraflores and a Panamax
Miraflores and a Panamax
Pedro Miguel and a Panamax
Pedro Miguel and a Panamax
Towards Centennial Bridge
Towards Centennial Bridge
Passing Centennial Bridge
Passing Centennial Bridge