The two canals of the Sault Ste. Marie system connect Lake Superior with Lake Huron, thereby allowing shipping between Lake Superior and the Atlantic Ocean. One of the canals is operated by the United States, the other by Canada. The canals are key to the economies of two cities, both of which are named Sault Ste. Marie and are located on either side of the St. Mary's River. One city is in the Canadian province of Ontario, and the other is on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Physical features

The Canadian canal is 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) long. An enclosure known as a lock raises or lowers ships to the water level of the lake they want to enter. The lock is 18.5 feet (5.6 meters) deep, 60 feet (18 meters) wide, and 850 feet (260 meters) long.

The canal in upper Michigan has four parallel locks popularly called the Soo Locks. They can raise or lower a boat in six to 15 minutes. The locks range from 17 to 32 feet (5 to 10 meters) deep, 80 to 110 feet (24 to 34 meters) wide, and 704 to 1,350 feet (215 to 411 meters) long.

History

In 1669 French Jesuit missionaries gave the name Sault Ste. Marie to the area surrounding the St. Mary's River. The name means “the rapids of St. Mary.” In 1763 the Canadian territory was given to the English, and in 1798 a small lock was completed. The first large locks on the Michigan side were opened in 1855. Large locks on the Canadian side first opened in 1895.