Soo Locks Open for Season
The Great Lakes shipping season is now underway.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District opened the Soo Locks for the season on Saturday.
The downbound Mesabi Miner, a 1,004-foot freighter loaded with 57,152 tons of coal, was the first ship to enter the Poe Lock shortly after 12 noon.
It was followed by the 768-foot John G. Munson.
The Soo Locks opened 12 hours earlier than originally scheduled this year at the request of the shipping industry because minimal ice conditions in the Great Lakes due to a mild winter enabled vessels to arrive at the Soo well ahead of schedule.
The locks closed on January 19th to undergo repairs and maintenance during the winter shutdown.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District maintains a navigation system that includes 94 harbors and the Great Lakes Connecting Channels that join lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie.
Posted by: Mike Hoey