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through_the_lens | all galleries >> Galleries >> Cindy Flood, USA > Entering the locks at Sault Ste Marie
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14-SEP-2013 Cindy Flood

Entering the locks at Sault Ste Marie

Sault Ste Marie, MI

We went on a boat today that went through the American and Canadian locks. It was an amazingly beautiful, warm day. Really amazing. This was taken as we were up bound on the St. Mary's River. We were lifted up 22 feet so that we could navigate out onto the river toward Lake Superior. When we returned, we were down bound and had to be lowered 22 feet (the depth of the river on the down side, and Lake Huron.)


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hal 20-Sep-2013 01:17
Thank you SO much for the description Cindy. Really fascinating.
l never knew that the Great lakes are on different levels.
Thanks again. Your photo is excellent.
Cindy Flood19-Sep-2013 16:38
Thanks, Pat and Hal.
Hal, We were heading into the left hand lock. I was on a 65 foot boat. We passed the Stewart J. Cort coming down the St. Mary's river. The Cort was the first of the 1000 foot long boats on the Great lakes (there are 13 now). The Cort pulled into the right hand lock in the photo. This is the second of four American locks and the only lock that can lock up a 1000 footer. The lock master sits up in the tower of the left hand building and controls the traffic in and out of the locks. The building on the right is where every ship passing through posts its contents and passenger list. The locks are free to all passing through.
If you look straight into the lefthand lock (where we were headed), you will see a black gate ahead. Once we were tied up to the side of the lock, a similar black gate closed behind us. Water was allowed to flow into this gated area, and we were lifted up 22 feet. When that gate that you see was opened, we sailed right out into the higher portion of the river. The locks circumvent the Saint Mary's rapids, which flow over a sandstone rapid or hill, if you may. The drop down (or up) is 22'. The Cort pulled in while we were locked up, and she was raised up 22' and then pulled out on her way from Lake Huron to Lake Superior. Lake Huron, is 22' lower than Lake Superior.
As you might imagine, there is very strict security to the four American locks. They are essential to the economy and safety of the US.
We sailed back in and down through the one Canadian lock. It is just used for smaller boats and pleasure craft. It is located on the Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario side of the river.
hal 19-Sep-2013 05:24
Success. Got your lovely photo showing, Cindy.
A lovely photo and the pier, if that is what it is, looks just like a ship.
The pointed bow, the building for the bridge structure and the tower
for the funnel.
Hope the weather stays good for your time away and that you come back
with more fine photos like this one.
Guest 15-Sep-2013 01:43
A perfect sky for landscape shots.... this is an amazing scene.