Soo Locks

{{Short description|Navigational structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan}}

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = St. Marys Falls Canal

| nrhp_type = nhl

| image = Soo Locks-Sault-Ste Marie.png

| image_size = 258

| caption = Aerial view of the Soo Locks. View is looking east, with Canada on the left and the United States on the right

| location = Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

| coordinates = {{coord|46|30|12|N|84|21|00|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = Michigan#USA

| area =

| built = {{start date and age|1855}}

| architect = Corps of Engineers

| architecture =

| designated_nrhp_type = November 13, 1966{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=272&ResourceType=Structure |title=St. Marys Falls Canal |access-date=June 27, 2008 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=National Park Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006235352/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=272&ResourceType=Structure |archive-date=October 6, 2012}}

| added = November 13, 1966

| refnum=66000394{{NRISref|2007a|dateform=mdy}}

| designated_other1 = Michigan State Historic Site

| designated_other1_date = February 12, 1959{{cite web |last=State Historic Preservation Office |url=http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/45419.htm |year=2009 |title=Saint Mary's Falls Canal |work=Historic Sites Online |publisher=Michigan State Housing Development Authority |access-date=June 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511130143/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/45419.htm |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}

}}

The Soo Locks (sometimes spelled Sault Locks but pronounced "soo") are a set of parallel locks, operated and maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, that enable ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. They are located on the St. Marys River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, between the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. They bypass the rapids of the river, where the water falls {{cvt|21|ft|m}}. The locks pass an average of 10,000 ships per year,{{cite web |publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers |author=Detroit District |title=Facts |access-date=October 22, 2008 |url=http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/newsandevents/publications/publications/soolocks-saultste-marie/facts/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110083843/http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/newsandevents/publications/publications/soolocks-saultste-marie/facts/ |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |df=mdy-all}} despite being closed during the winter from January through March, when ice shuts down shipping on the Great Lakes. The winter closure period is used to inspect and maintain the locks.

The locks share a name (usually shortened and anglicized as Soo) with the two cities named Sault Ste. Marie, in Ontario and in Michigan, located on either side of the St. Marys River. The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge between the United States and Canada permits vehicular traffic to pass over the locks. A railroad bridge crosses the St. Marys River just upstream of the highway bridge.

The first locks were opened in 1855. Along with the Erie Canal, constructed in 1824 in central New York State, they were among the great infrastructure engineering projects of the antebellum United States. The Soo Locks were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.{{cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/66000394_text|title=NHL nomination for St. Marys Falls Canal|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2017-04-03|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828031116/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/66000394_text|url-status=live}}

United States locks

The U.S. locks form part of a {{cvt|1.6|mi|km|adj=on}} canal formally named the St. Marys Falls Canal. The entire canal, including the locks, is owned and maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which provides free passage. The first iteration of the U.S. Soo Locks was completed in May 1855; it was operated by the state of Michigan until transferred to the U.S. Army in 1881.

=Locks=

The configuration consists of two parallel lock chambers.Starting at the Michigan shoreline and moving north toward Ontario, these are:

The MacArthur Lock, built in 1943. It is {{cvt|800|ft|m}} long, {{cvt|80|ft|m}} wide, and {{cvt|29.5|ft|m}} deep.{{Cite web |title=$227 million lock replacement could start this year |author=David Helwig |work=SooToday.com |date=March 30, 2002 |url=http://www.sootoday.com/Content/News/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=293 |access-date=July 12, 2012 |archive-date=September 20, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020920190306/http://www.sootoday.com/Content/News/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=293 |url-status=live }} This is large enough to handle ocean-going vessels ("salties") that must also pass through the smaller locks in the Welland Canal. The first vessel through was the SS Carl D. Bradley. Per 33 CFR § 207.440 (v), "The maximum overall dimensions of vessels that will be permitted to transit MacArthur Lock are 730 feet in length and 75 feet in width, except as provided in paragraph (v)(1) of this section." Per U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault St Marie, the length of the ship is restricted to 730’ due to the southwest wall alignment entering and exiting the MacArthur Lock.

The Poe Lock, built in 1896. The first vessel to pass through was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tug USS Hancock.{{cite book |last=Arbic |first=Bernard |first2=Nancy |last2=Steinhaus |title=Upbound Downbound: The Story of the Soo Locks |year=2005 |publisher=Priscilla Press |location=Allegan Forest, MI |pages=35–37}} The original Poe Lock was engineered by Orlando Poe and, at {{cvt|800|ft|m}} long and {{cvt|100|ft|m}} wide, was the largest in the world when completed in 1896.{{cite web |url=http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/closeups/ompoe/ompoe.htm |title=Seeing The Light: Orlando Metcalfe Poe |work=Terrypepper.com |date=May 30, 2000 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-date=October 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014232257/http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/closeups/ompoe/ompoe.htm |url-status=live }} The lock was re-built in 1968 to accommodate larger ships, after the Saint Lawrence Seaway opened and made passage of such ships possible to the Great Lakes. It is now {{cvt|1200|ft|m}} long, {{cvt|110|ft|m}} wide, and {{cvt|32|ft|m}} deep. It can take ships carrying {{cvt|72000|ST|MT}} of cargo. The Poe is the only lock that can handle the large lake freighters used on the Upper Lakes. The first passage after the rebuild was by the Phillip R. Clarke in 1969.

=Former locks=

The State Lock, built between 1853 and 1855. The State of Michigan was given land by the federal government to construct a lock to allow for quicker transit of new copper and iron ore deposits discovered around the Lake Superior basin. The lock consisted of two chambers back-to-back to bridge the difference in water level.{{cite web |title=Unlocking the Industrial Midwest: A Pictorial History of Locks at the Soo |url=https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Portals/69/Recreation/SooLocks/Lock%20History%20Exhibit.pdf?ver=4q3SWT0YTymHF7RoSXzojg%3d%3d |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628122423/https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Portals/69/Recreation/SooLocks/Lock%20History%20Exhibit.pdf?ver=4q3SWT0YTymHF7RoSXzojg%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |website=United States Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District website |publisher=USACE |access-date=16 May 2024}} Each chamber was {{cvt|350|ft|m}} long, {{cvt|70|ft|m}} wide at the top of its walls and {{cvt|61.5|ft|m}} at its bottom, and {{cvt|12|ft|m}} deep.{{cite web |title=The Saint Marys Falls Ship Canal, Michigan |url=https://michigan.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_b191c281-8d8f-41b6-b46a-f88009a4db64/ |website=Michiganology |publisher=Archives of Michigan |access-date=13 January 2025}} The State Lock was replaced by the original Poe Lock in 1896.
The Weitzel Lock, was built between 1873 and 1881 directly south of the State Lock, and was the first lock to be operated by the federal government. At {{cvt|515|ft|m}} long, {{cvt|80|ft|m}} wide, and {{cvt|17|ft|m}} deep, it was the longest lock in the world upon its completion. It was decommissioned in 1919, and was eventually replaced by the MacArthur Lock in 1943.Saint Marys Falls Ship Canal (Soo Locks Historic District, Soo Canals), Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, 2020.Lange, Alex, [https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2017/01/05/the-mighty-soo-construction-of-the-locks-at-sault-ste-marie-michigan/ "The Mighty Soo: Construction of the Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128182903/https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2017/01/05/the-mighty-soo-construction-of-the-locks-at-sault-ste-marie-michigan/ |date=January 28, 2020 }}, The Unwritten Record. National Archives, January 5, 2017.
The Davis Lock, built in 1914. At the time of its completion, the Davis Lock was the longest lock in the world at {{cvt|1350|ft|m}} long, and was also {{cvt|80|ft|m}} wide and {{cvt|23|ft|m}} deep. It was officially decommissioned in 2010.{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=Tom |title=The Soo Locks: The 'linchpin' of Great Lakes shipping is entering a new era |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/soo-locks-linchpin-great-lakes-040100885.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=The Blade |agency=Yahoo News |publisher=Block Communications |date=5 November 2021}}
The Sabin Lock, built in 1919. It was constructed as a twin lock to the Davis Lock, and named after Louis Carlton Sabin (1867-1950), the designer of both locks, who served as General Superintendent of the ship canal at The Soo from 1906 to 1925. It was officially decommissioned in 2010 at the same time as the Davis Lock.

=New lock=

A new lock is under construction and is slated to be completed by 2030.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 2020 |title=New Lock Info Sheet |url=https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Portals/69/docs/New%20Soo%20Lock/NewLock_InfoSheet_MAY2020.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515124752/https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Portals/69/docs/New%20Soo%20Lock/NewLock_InfoSheet_MAY2020.pdf |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |access-date=9 February 2021 |website= }} Groundbreaking for the new lock project was held on June 30, 2009.{{cite news |title=Construction beginning on new Soo shipping lock |date=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20090630/NEWS06/90630082/ |work=Detroit Free Press |access-date=July 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707210340/http://www.freep.com/article/20090630/NEWS06/90630082/ |archive-date=July 7, 2009}} The lock will be equal in size to the Poe Lock and will provide much needed additional capacity for the large lake freighters.{{Cite web |author=David Helwig |date=March 30, 2002 |title=$227 million lock replacement could start this year |url=http://www.sootoday.com/Content/News/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=293 |work=SooToday.com |access-date=July 12, 2012 |archive-date=September 20, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020920190306/http://www.sootoday.com/Content/News/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=293 |url-status=live }} The new lock replaces two locks (Davis Lock and Sabin Lock), which were obsolete and used infrequently. In May 2020, construction on Phase One of the replacement of the Sabin Lock was started.

North of the new lock is an additional channel with a small hydroelectric plant, which provides electricity for the lock complex.

{{wide image|Panorama of Soo Locks 2020-09-06.jpg |1000px|Soo locks and the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge that has a clearance of 124 feet}}

=Engineers Day=

File:Soo Locks 2020-09-06.jpg and Huron.]]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, operates the Soo Locks Visitors Center and viewing deck for the public.{{Cite web |url=http://www.clui.org/section/united-divide-a-linear-portrait-usacanada-border-3 |title=Chapter 4: The Watery Boundary |website=United Divide: A Linear Portrait of the USA/Canada Border |publisher=The Center for Land Use Interpretation |publication-date=Winter 2015 |access-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620075700/http://www.clui.org/section/united-divide-a-linear-portrait-usacanada-border-3 |url-status=live }} On the last Friday of every June, the public is allowed to go behind the security fence and cross the lock gates of the U.S. Soo Locks for the annual Engineers Day Open House.{{cite web |author=Detroit District |title=Soo Locks: Sault Ste- Marie |access-date=March 5, 2011 |url=http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/_kd/go.cfm?destination=page&pge_id=1324 |publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131070629/http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/_kd/go.cfm?destination=Page&Pge_ID=1324 |archive-date=January 31, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.saultstemarie.com/june-24,-2011-soo-locks-engineers-day-72/ |title=Soo Locks Engineer's Day |date=June 24, 2010 |access-date=March 5, 2011 |archive-date=January 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106075610/http://www.saultstemarie.com/june-24,-2011-soo-locks-engineers-day-72/ |url-status=live }} During this event, visitors are able to get close enough to touch ships passing through the two regularly operating locks. Other than on that day, because the locks are United States Federal property under command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unauthorized personnel and civilians are restricted from the locks under threat of fines or imprisonment for trespassing.

Canadian lock

The first lock to be built in the St. Marys River was on the Canadian side in 1798 by the Northwest Fur Company to facilitate the fur trade. It was destroyed by the Americans in 1814 during the War of 1812 to disrupt British trade. Currently, a single small lock is operated on the Canadian side of the Soo. Opened in 1895, it was rebuilt in 1987, and is {{cvt|77|m|sp=us}} long, {{cvt|15.4|m|sp=us}} wide and {{cvt|13.5|m|sp=us}} deep.{{cite web |author=Parks Canada |author-link=Parks Canada |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/ssmarie/natcul/natcul1_E.asp |title=Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada, Natural Wonders & Cultural Treasures |publisher=Parks Canada |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718140840/http://pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/ssmarie/natcul/natcul1_E.asp |archive-date=July 18, 2006 |df=mdy-all}} The Canadian lock is used for recreational and tour boats; major shipping traffic uses the U.S. locks.

Gallery

File:Soo Locks 19th Century.jpg|The first Soo Locks in the 19th century

File:Anchor Line Steamer in the Locks (NBY 9947).jpg|Anchor Line steamer in the Soo Locks, ca. 1900s

File:PoeLock whaleback MHGL00371f.jpg|A whaleback traverses the Poe Lock, ca. 1910

File:Sault canal NHS adjusted.jpg|Canadian Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

File:Poe Lock - 2014.jpg|The last ship of the 2013 season passes through the Poe Lock

File:USCGC Mackinaw passes through Soo Locks 130314-G-ZZ999-001.jpg|USCGC Mackinaw passes through Soo Locks

References

33 CFR 207.440
33 CFR 207.441

External links

[http://www.aerialpics.com/H/saultlocks.html Aerial views]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20161019135350/http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Soo-Locks-Visitor-Center/ Soo Locks homepage] U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Soo Locks page
[https://web.archive.org/web/20031206102736/http://webcam.crrel.usace.army.mil/soo/ Web Camera] view of the American locks NOTE: This Connection is Untrusted
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060221105608/http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/newsandevents/publications/publications/soolocks-saultste-marie/animatedlockdemonstration/ Animation of how the Soo Locks work].
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow9DDqj-Hio YouTube video] HD video of a ship passing through the MacArthur Lock

{{National Register of Historic Places listings in Chippewa County, Michigan}}

Category:Canals in Michigan

Category:Locks of the United States

Category:Locks on the National Register of Historic Places

Category:Great Lakes Waterway

Category:Ship canals

Category:St. Marys River (Michigan–Ontario)

Category:Buildings and structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Category:Michigan State Historic Sites in Chippewa County

Category:National Historic Landmarks in Michigan

Category:Canals on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan

Category:Transportation in Chippewa County, Michigan