Locks are hydraulic elevators used to lower or raise boats from one canal level to the next. The illustration shows the "locking through" steps of moving a boat from the lower level to the higher level of the canal, toward Akron.
A higher
resolution version of this illustration is available.
A higher
resolution version of this illustration is available.
A higher resolution version of this illustration is available.
Last
Updated:
Wednesday, 22-Dec-2004 09:50:49 Eastern Standard Time
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1.
The boat approaches the lock from the lower, downstream level of the
canal. Small wickets, or butterfly valves, are opened in the lower gates
to let the water out of the lock. When the water level in the lock reaches
the lower, downstream level of the canal, the lower gates are opened
and the boat enters the lock.
2.
The lower gates and wickets are closed. The wickets in the upper gates
are opened, allowing water to rise to the upstream level of the canal.
3.
The upper gates are then opened and the boat towed out. The lock is
now ready to take a boat going downstream to Cleveland.