Soo Locks dam
Soo Locks
The Soo Locks, located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, are a critical part of the Great Lakes navigation system. Built in 1921, the complex consists of four locks that help ships navigate the St. Mary's River. The locks play a crucial role in facilitating the transportation of goods and resources between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.
Despite their age, the Soo Locks are well-maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, who work diligently to address any potential risks and ensure the continuous operation of the locks. A recent risk assessment classified the complex as having a high risk due to aging infrastructure, which could lead to interruptions in navigation and power generation. To mitigate these risks, the USACE has implemented various measures, including routine monitoring, surveillance, and construction projects to address vulnerable features.
One of the key initiatives currently underway is the construction of a new, high-capacity lock to replace two decommissioned locks. This new lock will provide essential redundancy and ensure continuous operation, even in the event of closures or failures in the existing infrastructure. With these proactive measures in place, the Soo Locks continue to play a vital role in supporting water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Soo Locks -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tahquamenon River Near Paradise | 1,560 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Garnet | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Soo Locks.
Boat launches
- South Street Sault Ste. Marie
- Riverside Drive 1225, Sault Ste. Marie
- Riverside Drive Sault Ste. Marie
- Airport Road Sault Ste. Marie
- East Northshore Drive Sugar Island Township
- Brimley
Campgrounds
- Aune - Osborn Rv Park
- Sherman City Park
- Brimley State Park
- Monocle Lake Rec Area
- Monocle Lake Campground
- Kinross Rv Park East
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source In Sec 21, T47n, R12w To Mouth At Whitefish Bay
- Origin At Confluence Of Outlets Of Frenchman Lake And Carp Lake (Sec 26, T44n, R6w) To West Section Line Of Sec 30, T43n, R5w
- East Branch From Western Forest Boundary (Sec 19, T46n, R6w) To Confluence With Mainstem
Track Soo Locks in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Soo Locks
Where does the data for Soo Locks come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Soo Locks.