24 Aug 2013 – Soo Lock

One of Canada’s heritage canals SSM Canal National Historic Site of Canada is maintained and operated by Parks Canada to protect and present the site’s cultural and natural features, as well as to provide a safe navigable channel between Lake Huron and Lake Superior where there was a gaggle of geese. Canadian geese are loud and noisy…

Locks are designed to raise and lower boats from one water level to another. They were built along with a series of dams to bypass rapids and waterfalls. The recreational lock combines historic and modern technology. The original lock floor discharge valves and value and gate equipment are still being used. The intake valves are electronically controlled while the upper gates operate hydraulically. All equipment is operated from a computer console.

It is neat to see the tourist boat coming in from Lake Superior, MI USA into the Canadian SSM lock. Watching the water level of the lock lower at such a speed to be at the level of Lake Heron is quite amazing. One can then understand the power of water and how destructive it can be. Was told by the lockmaster that there is no pump, just gravity.

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it – Lao Tze