Soo Locks

October 19, 2025 -- I didn't spend too long in Sault Ste. Marie. In fact, Ty spent the whole time in the car. I had wanted to see the Soo Locks. There was a three story observation platform. Unfortunately, no boats passed through the locks while I was there. It was too windy. The ships were waiting it out. But it was still interesting to see the locks and learn about them. The visitor's center was fortunately still open on an early Sunday evening. There are boat tours of the locks, but they shut down for the season in mid October. Perhaps, another time.

Managed by the Army Corps of Engineers

Observation platform built in 2011

The Soo Locks are a set of parallel locks, operated and maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The locks enable ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. There is a 23-foot elevation difference between the lakes. 

Soo Locks

Depth

Bridge to Canada

Each year, an average of 10,000 ships pass through the locks, despite the locks being closed during the winter when ice shuts everything down.  The Soo locks consist of two parallel locks, several former locks, and a new lock under construction. They were first opened in 1855.

What the boats carry

Navigation

Historic old admin building for Soo locks