a canal transit. panama canal overview lock control towers miraflores locks

A CANAL TRANSIT

PANAMA CANAL OVERVIEW

LOCK CONTROL TOWERS

MIRAFLORES LOCKS

PANAMA CANAL OVERVIEWLOCK CONTROL TOWERS

PEDRO MIGUEL LOCKS

PANAMA CANAL OVERVIEW

LOCK CONTROL TOWERS

GATUN LOCKS

All three are identical on the outside and similar within. This was on purpose. They are designed and located to provide maximum visibility of the locks under their control.

PANAMA CANAL OVERVIEW

PANAMA CANAL OVERVIEW

A CANAL TRANSITEntering Gatun Locks from the lake.

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSITThe Gatun Visitor’s Center has not changed since I was there. Then again, it does not get the crowds.

It has a nice museum and simple restaurant. I preferred this one as the viewing platform was almost on top of the lock chambers.

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSITTHE ATLANTIC

ENTRANCE

LIMON BAY

COLON

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSIT

THE NEW ATLANTIC LOCKS

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSITTHE NEW ATLANTIC

BRIDGE

ABOVE: The construction site on the west bank – left side.

RIGHT: An image of the planned bridge looking north. This bridge will allow development of the coast to the west.

A CANAL TRANSIT

A CANAL TRANSIT

Panama Canal OverviewComparison With “Competition”

SUEZ CANAL: Mediterranean and Red Sea First completed: 1869 Current version completed: N/A Canal Length: 100.8 Miles Vertical Change: 0 Locks 0 Length: N/A Width: 673 ft. Depth: 79 ft. Suez Canal Authority – Toll

17,225 Transits (2012)

Panama Canal OverviewComparison With “Competition”

SOO CANAL: St. Mary’s River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron

First completed: 1855 Current version completed: 1968

Canal Length: 1.6 Miles Vertical Change: 27 ft.

Locks 1 Length: 1200 ft Width: 110 ft

Depth: 32 ft Army Corps of Engineers – no fee

~ 10,000 Transits / Yr.

Panama Canal OverviewComparison With “Competition”

WELLAND CANAL: Lake Erie to Lake Ontario First completed: 1830 Current version completed: 1932 Canal Length: 27 Miles Vertical Change: 326.5 ft. Locks 8 Length: 766 ft Width: 80 ft Depth: 30 ft St. Lawrence Seaway Management

Corp. – Toll

~ 3,000 Transits / Year

Panama Canal OverviewComparison With “Competition”

ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY: Lake Ontario and Montreal First completed: 1871 Current version completed: 1959 Canal Length: 57.1 Miles (5 separate canals) Vertical Change: 223 ft. Locks 7 Length: 766 ft Width: 80 ft Depth: 30 ft St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. - Toll