THE SAULT STE MARIE MARIE LOCKS.....THE "SOO" LOCKS

The Locks at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. 


To make the trip from Lake Huron into Lake Superior, the freighter must pass through the Locks at Sault Saint Marie which connect Lake Huron with Lake Superior and points beyond.  At one time, there was a waterfall separating the two, and now the freighters pull into the locks and are either lifted by 22 million gallons of water or dropped 21 feet.  

A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE LOCKS:  They were built in 1855; 7 to 10,000 ships pass through them during the shipping season; it takes 22 millions gallons of water to lift a boat; the lift is powered by gravity by opening the gates; the drop is 21-foot; the channels of the locks are ONLY five feet wider than the Tregurtha, and Sault Ste Marie is the oldest city in Michigan.     

 The photos which follow show us passing through the Locks going from Lake Huron to Superior at 1:00 am in the morning, and returning to Lake Huron 8:00 in the evening. 

The gauges that measure the dropping and rising of the freighter through the locks. 

In the locks. Only two feet of clearance on each side of the freighter. 

The tour boat passing through the Locks going the opposite direction that we were. 

The train trestle mechanism above the locks. 

The bridge connecting the USA with Canada.  This photo was taken from the USA side. 

Heading into the locks at the Soo at night.  The lighted bridge is the bridge connecting US and Canada. 

A clear shot of the locks as we are about ready to depart.  As you can see, the two water levels are about the same.  

An awesome evening/sunset shot of the Locks as we approached around 8:30 at night. As we were very far north on this trip, it stayed light outside far into the evening hours. 

Departing the locks at night. 

Departing in the daylight. 

Captain Bill  Thibodeaux who guided the PRT through our trip.  Great man!!  Thanks!