The value attributed to the iron ore shipped through the Soo Locks each year is
$500.4 billion
. An average of 80 million tons of cargo moves through them each year.
Why are Soo Locks important?
Built in 1855, the Soo Locks are canals that
allow large shipping vessels to pass through Lake Huron to Lake Superior, and also from Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean
(and vice versa).
Who owns the Soo Locks?
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
& THE SOO LOCKS
The Federal Government took control of the property and the lock system in the 1870s.
How much does it cost to transit the Soo Locks?
Depends on the one you want to take as they have several different cruises they do. The regular Lock tour is
$29 per adult
. Their website has all the options and prices listed.
How do boats get past Niagara Falls?
The Welland Canal lock system connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, enabling vessels to bypass Niagara Falls
. And the St. Lawrence Seaway lock system has tamed the St. Lawrence River, enabling ships to sail from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean since 1959.
Why is Sault Ste Marie called Soo?
The land changed hands many times from French to British and was finally claimed as a U.S. Territory in 1823. The Native Americans were here through it all, and long before, calling the area Bahweting or the gathering place.
The Soo Locks adopted the “Soo” spelling of the name making the use of “The Soo” a common name.
What year were the Soo Locks built?
Built in
1855
, these locks connect Lake Superior to Lake Huron and beyond. Some visitors come back every season, calling themselves Boat Nerds. They watch ships from all over the world use this free lock system. Now here are some facts about the locking system and the St.
Can you kayak through the Soo Locks?
No trip is more unique, however, than kayaking through Soo Locks, one of the engineering world's greatest maritime accomplishments and one of the world's busiest ports.
The seven-mile paddle through the Soo Locks begins in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the St. Marys River.
How long does it take to sail across Lake Superior?
| Port | Duluth | Distance (mi.) | 1,344 | Sailing Time (hrs.) | 112 | Lockage Time (hrs.) * | 17 | Total Hours | 129 |
|---|
How are the Soo Locks funded?
Marie is — at last — fully funded. The final piece of the estimated $1.3 billion needed to build the new lock has come into place, with
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receiving $479 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to invest in the locks
. The news was announced Wednesday by U.S. Sens.
When did the Soo Locks close?
MARIE, MI – The Soo Locks will be closed for more than two months for “critical maintenance.” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday that the facility in Sault Ste. Marie will close to marine traffic beginning at
11:59 p.m. on Jan. 15 and continuing through 12:01 a.m. on March 25
.
Do the Soo Locks close in the winter?
Each year, more than 4,500 vessels use the locks. They are carrying up to 80 million tons of cargo.
The winter closing of the Soo Locks does not mean cargo traffic is over for the season on the Great Lakes
. The lower lakes are still seeing freighters plying the waters with their loads.
Can any boat go through the Soo Locks?
A:
No. Any boat can go through as long as there are two separate types of power on board
. Q: Are these the first locks on the river?
Do you need a passport to go through the Soo Locks?
No – a passport is not needed to pass through their locks
.
Are dogs allowed at the Soo Locks?
No dogs
, no weapons, no bikes. This is now controlled by homeland security and is protected land!
How many boats have gone over Niagara Falls?
Since 1850,
more than 5,000
people have gone over Niagara Falls, either intentionally (as stunts or suicide attempts) or accidentally. The first recorded person to survive going over the falls was school teacher Annie Edson Taylor, who in 1901 successfully completed the stunt inside an oak barrel.
What stops boats from going over Niagara Falls?
“There's a reason why it's called
the Danger Zone
.” The Danger Zone is a federally designed no boating area that begins in the upper Niagara River about 3.2 miles from the brink of the falls.
Can a boat go from Lake Michigan to the ocean?
Yes, you can indeed sail from the Great Lakes to the ocean
. In this case, the ocean you'd arrive at is the Atlantic Ocean. All five lakes connect to this ocean via the Saint Lawrence River.
Is Sault Ste. Marie a border town?
A border town
, Sault Ste. Marie is located just across the river from Michigan.
Is there a train to Sault Ste. Marie?
There's no Via Rail train service between the two cities
. You could also fly from Toronto (YYZ) to SSM (YAM). Hello. Depending on the time element you are dealing with you may want to check with a few Canadian airlines as it could take quite awhile to get from Toronto to Sault Ste.
Is Sault Ste. Marie Canadian or American?
Yes,
Sault Ste. Marie is in BOTH Michigan and Canada
! There are two separate cities located right next to each other in different countries. There's something exciting about exploring another country, which makes the Sault Ste.
Who invented the Soo Locks?
In 1837, the Michigan Legislature approved a canal and lock at Sault Ste. Marie. Engineer
John Almy
drew plans for a canal and three locks, each with a 6-foot lift.
How many locks are on the Great Lakes?
On the Great Lakes Seaway system,
16 locks
lift or lower ships a total of 600 feet from Montreal to Lake Superior.
Why is Sault Ste Marie important to Michigan?
Sault Ste. Marie was settled as early as 1668, which
makes it Michigan's oldest city and among the oldest cities in the United States
. Located at the northeastern edge of the Upper Peninsula, it is separated by the St. Marys River from the much-larger city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Where can I kayak in Sault Ste Marie?
Great Lakes Superior and Huron
offer some of the best sea kayaking in the world; the St. Mary's River is a scenic and historic waterway flowing right through downtown; and Lake Superior Provincial Park offers excellent canoe tripping, backcountry angling opportunities and rugged Canadian Shield scenery.
