--- title: Did you know? --- [![Alogma_Secondary_Logo_Tagline](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hubfs/Alogma_Secondary_Logo_Tagline.svg "Alogma_Secondary_Logo_Tagline")](https://www.algomacentral.ca/?hsLang=en) Open main menu Close main menu - [Home](https://www.algomacentral.ca) --- - [Play Trivia](https://form.typeform.com/to/LECg7k0q) --- - [About Algoma](https://www.algomacentral.ca/about-algoma) --- - [Sustainability](https://www.algomacentral.ca/sustainability) --- - [Did you know?](https://www.algomacentral.ca/did-you-know) --- - [Careers](https://www.algomacentral.ca/careers) --- - [Stay Connected](https://www.algomacentral.ca/stay-connectedstay-connected) --- - [Visit Our Site](https://www.algonet.com/) # Did you know? --- ![Group 1482](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%201482.png?width=133&name=Group%201482.png) ![Group 1493](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%201493.png?width=103&name=Group%201493.png) 100 metres (326 feet) of elevation change through the Welland Canal's seven locks ![Group 1487](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%201487.png?width=103&name=Group%201487.png) 91 million litres (24 million gallons) of water required to fill a single lock ![Group 1498](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%201498.png?width=103&name=Group%201498.png) The canal is 43 kilometres (27 miles) in total length ![Group 1508](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%201508.png?width=103&name=Group%201508.png) 234 metres (766 feet) length of each lock ![25Metres](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/25Metres.png?width=103&height=103&name=25Metres.png) The canal is 25 metres (80 feet) in width - a Seaway-max vessel has approximately 1 foot of clearance on each side when transiting a lock ## How the Locks Work A vessel traveling downstream would find the lock chamber already filled with water. The entrance gate is opened and the vessel moves in. The entrance gate is then closed. A valve is opened and the lock chamber is drained, lowering the vessel. Once the vessel reaches the desired level, the exit gate is then opened and the vessel moves out of the chamber. This process is reversed for a vessel traveling upstream. ## Why Do We Need a Canal System? ![Group 1513@2x](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%201513@2x.png?width=874&name=Group%201513@2x.png) The Welland Canal allows ships to bypass Niagara Falls and conquer the Niagara escarpment to continue through the Great Lakes system. This marine corridor is an integral part of North America’s supply chain and is right here in Niagara! ![Algoma125_Horizontal_Reversed_Alt (1)](https://www.algomacentral.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Algoma125_Horizontal_Reversed_Alt%20(1).png?width=200&height=61&name=Algoma125_Horizontal_Reversed_Alt%20(1).png) EXECUTIVE OFFICE --- 63 Church Street, Suite 600 St.Catharines, ON L2R 3C4 [905 687 7888](tel:905%20687%207888;) Designed by: Symetric