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See the Ships and Locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2018-07-12 21:24:00

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One of Upstate New York’s most unique features is The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, one of the most important commercial waterways in the world. Between Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River, the seaway creates a liquid border between western and northern New York and Canada, and provides endless opportunities for fun and recreation along its path.

One thing that’s unique about the seaway is the huge cargo ships that pass along it on their way between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Dozens of shipping companies from all over the world send their vessels to haul everything from grain or sand to coal, lumber and steel, or machinery and industrial equipment along the 2,038-nautical mile route each shipping season. From spring until fall, the ships make 3-4,000 trips along this international waterway, and when they pass, they are a majestic sight.

For those who live along the river, or even those just visiting, ship watching is a favorite pastime. There are many spots along the St. Lawrence where the shipping channel runs close enough to shore to get a good look at the “lakers”—ships designed to haul cargo through the seaway system and fit through the locks—and “salties ”, ships designed to handle the conditions of the open ocean as well as the great lakes system. There are websites and social media groups dedicated to ship watching, and you can even find interactive maps and get real-time information on which ships are traveling along the seaway while you visit. But what if you could see them close up?

At the Dwight D. Eisenhower Lock Viewing Deck and Interpretive Center in Massena, on the northernmost part of the St. Lawrence in New York, you can do just that. Because of the changing water levels, ships have to pass through a set of locks on this stretch of the seaway—and it’s an impressive sight. At the Eisenhower Lock Viewing Deck, you can watch from close by while these giant vessels are raised and lowered 42 feet within the lock chamber. You won’t find this perspective anywhere else in Upstate New York, so remember to bring your camera! There are volunteers on hand as well, who can answer questions and explain details about the seaway and its ships. This area is only during the summer, so plan accordingly—but if you get the timing right, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

While you’re there, enjoy more of the marvels of modern engineering at the nearby Frank McCullough Jr. Hawkins Point Visitors Center. Operated by the New York State Power Authority, the visitor’s center is part of the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project’s Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power Dam system. A joint hydroelectric facility spanning from America to Canada, the dam system is responsible for water levels along the St. Lawrence River all the way to Lake Ontario and generates enough electricity for a city the size of Washington D.C. The Visitor’s Center offers excellent views of the dam itself, plus exhibits on energy and electricity that teach kids about generating power and historic exhibits that explain the region’s history and the construction and purpose of the seaway.

Photo Credits

Ship Leaving Lock photo credit Jim Duell
Canada Steamship Lines Laurentien photo credit Chris Light
Eisenhower Control Tower photo credit reivax
Eisenhower_Locks aerial photo via public domain
Moses-Saunders Power Dam photo via public domain
Ship along the St. Lawrence photo credit Ad Meskins

posted at: 2018-07-12 21:24:00, last updated: 2021-04-06 13:55:39

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