SAULT STE. MARIE, MI— The Soo Locks open on Saturday.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, will open the Poe Lock at 12:01 a.m., marking the start of the 2023 Great Lakes shipping season. The season is fixed by federal regulation and driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions.
The Poe Lock closed January 16th to undergo critical repairs and maintenance during the 10-week-long winter shutdown. Crews also performed a wide range of other maintenance tasks. They included fender timber replacements, electrical and mechanical systems inspections, preventative maintenance on both the Poe and MacArthur Locks, and floating plant maintenance.
The MacArthur Lock, located south of the Poe, is scheduled to open April 24th.