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Sault
Recreational Lock

SEASON

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SAULT STE. MARIE CANADA
RECREATIONAL LOCK


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By all accounts, the present Sault Canal was a marvel of engineering technology at the time of its completion in 1895. For a time the lock was the longest (900 feet) in the world. It was also the first in the world to use electrical power. Here the technology was pioneered to operate a lock system that would be reliable even during the early spring and late fall. Electricity, generated from the canal's own powerhouse, operated the huge wooden lock gates and the valves that controlled water flow to and from the lock. The motorhouses on the lock walls still contain much of the original operating machinery. This Canadian made equipment is unique among the canals of the St. Lawrence Seaway system.

A failure to the lock wall in 1986 forced the closure of the lock for a period of 10 years. In 1995 the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and City of Sault Ste. Marie entered into a joint agreement to repair the lock for recreational vessels only. Completed in 1997, the lock was repaired by the construction of a smaller lock within the original lock. The new recreational lock has a useable length of 65.5 metres (214.8 ft.), a width of 16.5 metres (54.3 ft) and a minimum draft of 3 metres (9.8 ft). Tour boats are to berth on the south side and all other recreational vessels on the north side of the lock wall.

Procedures for locking through the canal include:

• Vessels with a draft of more than 3 metres should request the Lock Master to advise them as to allowable draft currently being accepted in the lock.
• At the Limit of Approach, look for a red triangular sign with L/A in white letters. Do not proceed past this point. The Limit of Approach for up-bound vessels is located in the north pier at 130 metres (425 ft) below the downstream gates. The Limit of Approach for down-bound vessels is located on the north pier at 85 metres (278 ft) above the upstream traffic lights.
• Once at the Limit of Approach, watch the traffic lights for signal to proceed. After all vessels exiting the lock have cleared the L/A the Lock Master will signal you to proceed. Traffic light signals:

  RED - Wait.

  FLASHING RED - The lock is being prepared; stand by to cast off.

  GREEN - The lock is ready; proceed into the lock.

• Once in the lock, recreational vessels are to be secured to one of the plastic-coated cables on the north side of the lock wall. The vessel's crew must attach the vessel's lines to these cables and control the vessels movement as it is raised or lowered in the lock.

Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

Vessels are welcome to moor at the Sault Canal for the purpose of visiting this National Historic Site. Secure the vessel to one of the piers outside the Limit of Approach and contact the Lock Master for further instructions.