Critical Great Lakes commerce in the local port of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor will have the opportunity for an early start to the shipping season thanks to the decision to open the Soo Locks early for the 2021 season.
The Detroit District’s Soo Area Office will open the Poe Lock at noon on Wednesday, March 24th, marking the 2021 Great Lakes shipping season start.
The shipping industry itself requested an early season opening to ensure safety of the vessels, with James Weakley, President of the Lake Carriers’ Association saying, “We believe a 1200 EST opening on 24 March 2021 provides a safer timeframe for vessels to transit Whitefish Bay and the St. Mary’s River. It facilitates U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) icebreaking prior to and after the initial lock transits.” He adds, “The efficiency of icebreaking for the first transits is the primary driver for this request.”
District Commander Lt. Col. Scott Katalenich says, “The Detroit District was able to accommodate an early opening request due to being ahead of schedule and completing all required maintenance tasks during our annual winter season closure.”
The locks officially closed on January 15th to undergo critical repairs and maintenance during the 10 week-long winter shutdown. Maintenance crews performed a variety of critical tasks on the Poe Lock, including:
- Drydocking and repairing a barge
- Performing upstream and downstream miter gate structural repair work
- Replacing ice flushing valves on the upstream miter gates
- Making repairs to a filling valve and an emptying valve
- Intermediate gate sill repairs
- Cleaning the Poe Lock’s underfloor drainage system
- Replacing fender timbers on the piers
- Inspecting and performing preventative maintenance on electrical and mechanical systems for both the Poe and MacArthur Locks
Katalenich says, “We worked hard to accelerate work up-front during our annual closure, with crews working 10 hours for six days straight to optimize the short time available for critical maintenance and repairs,” and adds, “Due to the hard work of our maintenance crews and some mild weather at the beginning of our closure period, we’ve been able to accomplish all required work ahead of schedule.”
Poe Lock rewatering began earlier this past week on March 15th, which will support U.S. Coast Guard ice breakers preparing the shipping channels for the opening of the navigation season.
The MacArthur Lock, located south of the Poe, will remain closed until mid-April.
Katalenich notes, “We welcome visitors into the park for the 2021 Soo Locks season opening. The park and viewing platform will be open, but we ask everyone entering the park follow CDC guidelines and DOD instructions to wear masks on federal property, including outdoor shared spaces when social distancing cannot be maintained.”
The park will open 9 am to 6 pm.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on plans to open the Soo Locks Visitor Center May 9th, depending on current health conditions, CDC, Federal and State requirements. Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs says,”We’re excited about the possibility of opening the Visitor Center and have several new exhibits for visitors to enjoy.”
The photo of a freighter headed into the St. Joseph River Channel accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of award winning professional photographer Molly Pate of Berrien Springs
