A freighter passes through the Soo Locks at Sault Ste Marie, which link Lake Superior with Lake Huron
The Great Lakes form a seaway right into the heart of the North American continent. This is the longest deepdraft inland waterway in the world, capable of taking ocean-going vessels up to 3,740 km from Duluth on Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the cargoes are destined for other Great Lakes ports.
Three groups of enormous lock systems have been built to enable this to happen. The Soo Locks at Sault Ste Marie allow ships to travel from Lake Superior, bypassing the rapids at the east end of the lake, to Lake Huron. These locks measure over 400 metres long by almost 40 metres wide and are used by up to 10,000 vessels each year.
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