Ships are a vital part of the global economy, transporting goods and people from one place to another. But how do ships get from Lake Erie to the ocean? It’s a complex process that involves a series of locks, canals, and rivers.
The journey begins at the Welland Canal in Ontario, Canada. This canal connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario and is part of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System. The canal is made up of eight locks that raise and lower ships as they pass through. This allows them to move between different water levels and continue their journey.
From there, ships travel through the St. Lawrence River, which connects Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean. The river is made up of several locks that help ships navigate around rapids and other obstacles in their path. The final lock is located at Montreal, Quebec, where ships enter the Gulf of St. Lawrence before reaching the open ocean.
The entire journey takes about five days for most vessels and requires careful navigation due to strong currents and shallow waters in some areas. Ships must also be aware of other vessels on the waterway as well as any potential hazards such as rocks or sandbars that could cause damage or delay their progress.
Once they reach the ocean, ships can continue on their voyage to any destination around the world – all thanks to this complex network of waterways connecting Lake Erie with the Atlantic Ocean!