from Superior to Michigan and Huron--3 of the 5 Great Lakes

August 19---Leaving Copper Harbor, catching glimpses of Lake Superior on the way, I arrived in Sault Ste. Marie. Another place never visited, while living in MI. The Soo Locks connect lakes Superior and Huron via the St Marys River, with a drop of 21 ft, between the 2. The ships must pass thru the locks, dropping 21 ft, and traversing 63 miles of the St Marys River before entering Huron. Both Huron and Michigan are the same water level, so no more locks are needed.

These locks are HUGE! Imagine a 1000 ft freighter--that's 2308 large trucks of 26 ton capacity each![--Some smaller boats and ships use the locks too, but not the same one.] There are 4 locks, only 2 were in use while I was there. It is estimated that the Soo Locks water route reduces transportation costs by an average of more than $4.90/ton. Based on 1997 tonnages, this represents an annual cost savings to the nation of ~$450 million. And that is then, think about todays fuel price savings!! I did get to see and film one of the 1000ft Laker ships. Try to imagine its size from my pics!