The Soo Locks

[Colliemom]

For those who who may have Or never never have seen this. . The Soo locks in Sault Sainte Marie in the UP of Michigan, close in January for maintenance and then they reopen at the end of March. This video is of the first ship to enter the locks and start the 20022-23 shipping season at midnight last night. Link is below the picture. You have to admire the skill of the Wheelsmen who guide these ships into the locks with just inches to spare.

The Edgar B. Speer is 1000 feet long, up bound into Lake Superior. Tbe level of Lake Huron is lower than Lake Superior, so the lock will be filled, raising the ship to Superiors level and then it will sail n and out. . This is a big deal at the Soo as it marks the start of preparations for the upcoming tourist season. The locks are a big tourist draw. It’s fascinating to watch these bg ships go through as well as watching them out on the lakes. A lot of people go watch the locks opening every year, even at this late hour. . As big as ships like this are, those who sail Lake Superior can be sent to the bottom if the right type of storm kicks up. So it’s not all fun and games out there. By the time this ship gets to it’s destination port, Two Harbors, MNit will be coated with ice from the open lake, Winds and cold temps, making those decks very treacherous.



https://www.facebook.com/10006940119058 ... 854976986/

A look inside a lock

https://www.wxyz.com/news/photos-show-i ... -soo-locks

https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/03/what ... ebris.html

Here’s a few interesting facts

https://boatnerd.com/boatnerd-news-march-25/

[JudyJB]

And one of the neatest campgrounds at the Soo is Aune Osborn, owned by the city of Sault St Marie, and which is about a mile east of the locks. It is not a fancy place, but does have electric and water hookups, but this is an instance of location, location, location!

After they leave the locks, the river widens a bit but then narrows again, and just after the campground, ships have to turn right and go through the very narrow St. Mary's River to get to Lake Huron. The result is that they are very close to shore, and you can even wave at the workers on deck! You can access a Coast Guard site that tells you when each ship is due to come through the locks and a couple of other sites that tell you where every single big ship is on the Great Lakes, so this is a great spot for shipwatching! (The campground has no trees, so you can see ships from all of the sites, although the lakefront ones are best.)

https://www.saultcity.com/parksrec/page ... campground

I do recommend waiting until the ice melts, however.

[SoCalGalcas]

Loved the articles on the Soo Locks. So interesting. Those of you still traveling ought to remember Judy’s info too!!! Lyn

[MandysMom]

Judy, I do recall your reports from the area where you watched ships! What a great place to spend a few days!
Velda