Soulanges Canal Lock Number 4 - Waterway Locks, Planes and Lifts on Waymarking.com

Long Description:
The Soulanges Canal, completed in 1899, was built on the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River, linking Lake St. Louis to Lake St. Francois. This canal replaced the old Beauharnois canal, permitting ships to avoid the Cascades, Cedar and Coteau rapids on the northern arm of the St. Lawrence River. The canal was abandoned in 1959 with the opening of the St Lawrence Seaway. With a total length of 24 kilometers, the canal had a total of 5 locks. The 4th lock sits approximately 5 kilometers from the eastern end of the canal. It is a beautiful stone and concrete complex consisting of 3 sets of gates, which, when in active use, was 280 feet long, 46 feet wide, with a depth of 15 feet and a lift of 12 feet. The upper gate was a “Guard Gate, designed to be closed in the event of emergency or for maintenance of the lower part of the canal. The lock’s stonework, while somewhat deteriorated, is still basically intact; a testament to construction techniques of the time, and far more interesting than the concrete and steel structures of today.
The north side of the lock complex can be accessed directly from highway 338 (Chemin du Canal) but the south side can only be approached via a paved bicycle path. Cross the canal on Chemin Saint Antoine approximately 1 kilometer east of the lock and park in the small lot at N45 19.402, W74 00.447 on the south side. A pleasant walk (or cycle) along the canal will lead to the lock.
Approach the lock area with caution-there are no barriers or safety fences on either side.

Waterway Name: Soulanges Canal Connected Points: links Lac Saint-Louis and Lac Saint-François between the Grande Ile and the Ile de Valleyfield. Type: Lock Date Opened: 1/1/1899 Date Closed (if applicable): 1/1/1959 Elevation Difference (meters): 4.00 Site Status: Inactive Web Site: Not listed

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