Welland Canal 
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Welland Canal
The 42km (26mi) Welland Canal joins Lake Ontario (75m (246ft) above sea level) and Lake Erie (at 174m (571ft) above sea level almost 100 m (330 ft) higher). The canal is situated not far from the world famous Niagara Falls and close to the Canadian-US frontier. It takes eight massive locks to surmount the so-called "Niagara Escarpment" separating the two large lakes.
Every year more than 1000 ocean-going ships and about 3000 other sea-going vessels pass through the locks, as well as "lakers" and other inland craft mostly sailing under the Canadian flag. In 1990 freight carried totaled about 48 million tons, wheat, iron ore and coal being the principal commodities.
The first Welland Canal was opened in 1829. A second was built between 1845 and 1915, and a third between 1887 and 1930. Even this was unable to meet the demands of ever increasing traffic and larger ships however, and on August 6th 1932 the Governor General of Canada inaugurated a route designed for modern needs.
The 42km (26mi) Welland Canal joins Lake Ontario (75m (246ft) above sea level) and Lake Erie (at 174m (571ft) above sea level almost 100 m (330 ft) higher). The canal is situated not far from the world famous Niagara Falls and close to the Canadian-US frontier. It takes eight massive locks to surmount the so-called "Niagara Escarpment" separating the two large lakes.
Every year more than 1000 ocean-going ships and about 3000 other sea-going vessels pass through the locks, as well as "lakers" and other inland craft mostly sailing under the Canadian flag. In 1990 freight carried totaled about 48 million tons, wheat, iron ore and coal being the principal commodities.
The first Welland Canal was opened in 1829. A second was built between 1845 and 1915, and a third between 1887 and 1930. Even this was unable to meet the demands of ever increasing traffic and larger ships however, and on August 6th 1932 the Governor General of Canada inaugurated a route designed for modern needs.
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