soo locks schedule 2022

"We welcome visitors into the park for the 2022 Soo Locks season opening. The park and viewing platform will open March 24 at 11:30 p.m. and close March 25 at 1:30 a.m. The Visitor Center will open March 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an open house," Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs said.

Full Answer

Is the Soo Locks schedule hotline back in operation?

MARIE, MI - Ship watchers won’t have to wait around to see a freighter travel through the Soo Locks now that a schedule hotline is back in operation. The hotline will provide the estimated upbound and downbound vessel arrival times from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to an announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District.

How can I follow famous Soo Locks boat tours?

Follow us on Facebook! We welcome you to share your tour photos with our Facebook fans! All photo submissions are eligible for a gift (winners announced at the beginning of each month). Follow Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours to stay informed about our tours and special events!

What are the hours of the Soo Locks Park?

The Soo Locks Park and Observation Platform are open 7 days a week 9 AM – 9 PM. The visitor center is currently open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 Am – 6 PM.

How many ships pass through the Soo Locks each year?

Thanks to the Soo Locks freighters over 1,000 feet in length can traverse freely along the St. Marys River all the way from Duluth, Minnesota outward into the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. Roughly 7,000 vessels pass through the Locks yearly hauling nearly 86 million tons of cargo.

Is there a schedule for the Soo Locks?

It's important to remember that there is no set schedule or 100 percent accurate way to predict when a freighter will be passing through the Soo Locks.

How much does it cost to visit the Soo Locks?

Sightseeing Lock TourAdult$30.00Child 5-16$10.00Child Under 5FreePromo Code Add event or group promo code if applicable.Subtotal:

Do the Soo Locks close in the winter?

Each year, more than 4,500 vessels use the locks. They are carrying up to 80 million tons of cargo. The winter closing of the Soo Locks does not mean cargo traffic is over for the season on the Great Lakes. The lower lakes are still seeing freighters plying the waters with their loads.

Why are Soo Locks closed?

The MacArthur Lock closed on Dec. 15, 2021 for maintenance and the valve project. Crews completed hydraulic steel structure inspections and repaired the lock's miter gate 5 sill. Click here if you'd like to learn more about the Soo Locks.

How long does it take a boat to go thru Soo Locks?

How long is the cruise? Our lock tour runs 90 minutes. However, at times there may be slight delays for locking due to freighter traffic. Our Lighthouse Cruise runs approximately 4 1/2 hours.

How long does it take to go through the Soo Locks?

It takes 9 hours to pass through.

Are the Soo Locks open year round?

The locks pass an average of 10,000 ships per year, despite being closed during the winter from January through March, when ice shuts down shipping on the Great Lakes. The winter closure period is used to inspect and maintain the locks.

Why is Lake Superior closed to shipping from mid January to March?

Shipping was slow to arrive at Lake Superior in the 19th century. The first steamboat to run on the lake was the Independence in 1847, whereas the first steamers on the other Great Lakes began sailing in 1816. Ice closes the lake shipping from mid-January to late March.

What date does the Soo Locks close?

As per federal orders, the Soo Locks close on January 15 and re-open March 25 every year. During this time maintenance is performed on the chambers. Although there are occasional exceptions, such as ice, these two dates are pillars for shipping season in the Great Lakes.

Do you have to pay to see the Soo Locks?

The Corps has operated the locks toll-free since that time. The Weitzel Lock opened in 1881 and control of the Soo Locks was handed over to the US Corps of Engineers. The original Poe Lock, named after Orlando Poe, was completed in 1896.

How do I view Soo Locks?

The Visitor Center at the Soo Locks is open daily from Mothers Day through mid-October. The center features exhibits about the locks, Great Lakes shipping and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Visitors can see the boats up close and personal from the observation platform at the Soo Locks.

How do the Soo Locks Work?

The locks move the water by gravity. As a boat locks in from Lake Superior, the gates at each end of the locks are closed and a valve is open to let the Lake Superior water already in the lock flow out to the lower water level of the St Mary's Canal and Lakes Huron and Michigan.

When were the Soo Locks built?

1855 -State Lock 1855 - 1888 Built by the State of Michigan on the south shore of the river, this project was financed by a congressional land grant of 750,000 acres of public land to the company that successfully built the lock to the required specifications and within the two year deadline.

When will the 2021 schedule start?

Our 2021 schedule will begin Saturday, May 15th. Check out our daily departures.

Is the dock handicap accessible?

All docks and boats are handicap accessible.

What is the phone number for Soo Locks?

The Soo Locks Boat Schedule Hotline is back in operation! Call 906-253-9290 for estimated vessel arrival times between... The locks are considered an “engineering marvel” with roots going back to the mid-1800s.

When was the Poe Lock built?

About 85% of vessels use the 1,200-foot Poe Lock, which was built in 1968. A new lock with a working price tag of more than $922 million is under construction. It will be roughly the size of the Poe Lock. It will be constructed at the site of the existing Davis and Sabin locks, which have been decommissioned.