A Look at the Locks - Soo Locks

The Soo Locks are located on Portage Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (USA) along the St. Mary’s River.  They are a favorite tourist attraction and a National Historic Landmark.  This is a great place to see freighters close to shore – and it’s free!  

A Little History:

The St. Mary's River is the only water connection between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. During those early years, boats could not navigate through the rough rapids of the St. Mary's River (a difference of 21 feet between Lake Superior and Lake Huron lake levels).  The laborious task of skirting the rapids was solved when the first lock was built on the north shore of the St. Mary’s River in 1797.  That lock was destroyed during the War of 1812.  It would be another 43 years before a replacement lock would be opened (1855) and once again ships could pass between the two Great Lakes saving time and money.  

Information about the Locks:

-  State Lock (1855-1888) was 350’ long, 70’ wide, and 12’ deep. 

-  Weitzel Lock (1881-1919) was 515’ long, 80’ wide, and 17’ deep

-  Poe Lock (1896-1960’s) was 800’ long, 100’ wide, and 21’ deep

-  Davis Lock (1914) was 1,350’ long, 80’ wide, and 24’ deep

-  Sabin Lock (1919) was 1,350’ long, 80’ wide, and 24’ deep

-  MacArthur Lock (1943) was built at 32’ deep to meet the demands of bigger ships

-  Poe Lock (1968) was 1,200’ long, 110’ wide, and 32’ deep

MacArthur Lock (East and West)

Get Ready to Look at the Locks:

When you arrive at the Soo Locks Park, your first stop should be at the Visitor Center.  It is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Mothers Day until Mid-October.   

FYI …even if the Visitor Center is not open, the park is open year round, from 6 a.m. until midnight in the summer months, and from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. during the winter season.  The locks are closed between January 15^th and March 25^th.  This allows workers to do maintenance and other projects that can not be done during the regular shipping season. 

Next, important piece of information – yes, there are restrooms BUT they are not always open.  We were in the park after 10 p.m. one night when I discovered that fact!

While you are at the Visitor Center check out the exhibits, theater, and live cam view. 

Some Exhibits in the Visitor Center

The main event at the Visitor Center is the boat schedule.  It lists the freighters heading “upbound” and “downbound” and their anticipated arrival time at the Soo Locks.  I was confused about the terms “upbound” and “downbound”.  So, here was the explanation:

“Boats heading into Lake Superior from the lower Lake Huron Level are described as being ‘upbound’ and will have to be raised up 21 feet at the Locks.  Boats going the other way, from the higher Lake Superior level going towards Lake Huron must be lowered down 21 feet at the Locks and are described as being “downbound.”

"Upbound" Freighter

Once the freighter is secured inside the lock, it will take about 15-20 minutes for the boat to be raised or lowered (depending on the direction it is heading).

The public can watch the freighters and boats go through the locks from a double-decker, semi-enclosed viewing platform.   On the average, between 7,000- 10,000 ships come through the locks each year.

 Viewing Platform

Freighter & International Bridge

A few years ago, we took a cruise through the Panama Canal (Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean).  This is one of the rare times that a Captain of a ship relinquishes control of his vessel.  The Panama pilots take over until the ship has completed its transit through Panama Canal waters. 

Unlike the Panama Canal, boats enter the Soo Locks under their own power.  Transit procedures state, “Most boats registered in the U.S. and Canada have captains and wheelsmen who are fully qualified and licensed to operate on the St. Mary’s River and through the Soo Locks.  Foreign vessels bring on specially licensed Great Lakes Pilots when they enter the waterway and this pilot brings them into the locks.”

I wanted to photograph the International Bridge at night.  Since the park was open until midnight, this was easily accomplished from the viewing platform.  While we were here, we see an “upbound” freighter in the second lock.

 "Upbound" Freighteer (far right of photo)

MacArthur Lock & International Bridge

For more information on the Soo Locks, please click on the following link:

Soo Locks

There are more things to do at the Soo.  Refer to my Blog post on historic sites in Sault Ste Marie by clicking on the following link:

Historic Sites - Sault Ste Marie Michigan

Sault Sainte Marie is a good-size town with plenty of lodging and dining options to suit any taste and price range.  To help plan your trip to Sault Ste Marie, click on the following link:

Soo Area Info