Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Perhaps. Though in my case, when I first visited the locks a long time ago, I thought they were neat but rather tight as far as photography goes, so I ventured elsewhere and found Mission Point etc. Typically, when restrictions are present, we all try to find ways around them. In this case, it doesn't mean jumping fences or using stepladders, but finding other spots that are more hospitable.

Randy S wrote: The thing is - those fences may keep a casual watcher from becoming more serious.

[quote=Here on the Miss. River south of St.Paul I can only Attest to the Locks I Frequint and Most locks on the Upper Miss. have viewing stands that are with in twenty ft. of a towboat.there is no obstruction when using the viewing stands.How ever when security is high they dont let them be used.But like Duluth You can get close to the boats along the river bank.Most locks have Parks where they have Picnic Tables.Lock 4 at Alma Wis. Has a bridge over the railroad tracks so you can get to the viewing platform.So If you are traveling along the Miss. River There is great locations to view boats.

[quote="torgy1962"] The more serious boatwatcher can easily find open vantage points like Mission Point or Sherman Park by doing a little exploration, as I did many years ago.

The thing is - those fences may keep a casual watcher from becoming more serious.

The locks are great for the casual visitor that could care less if fences or glass is in the way, and I think that encompasses the bulk of the parks visitors. It's just as well that Mission Point isn't advertised much as it really doesn't have the facilities for a huge number of visitors. (Those pit toilets are easily taxed!) The more serious boatwatcher can easily find open vantage points like Mission Point or Sherman Park by doing a little exploration, as I did many years ago.

CottonwoodStudios wrote:The thing is, from when I've seen, there's very little adverts for Mission Point. Everyone goes to the Soo because it's easily accessible and right off the interstate.
I really hope they don't take this too far. The next step is taking away Engineers Day.

The thing is, from when I've seen, there's very little adverts for Mission Point. Everyone goes to the Soo because it's easily accessible and right off the interstate.
I really hope they don't take this too far. The next step is taking away Engineers Day.

This is the Guest from March 28, 8:23 p.m. (Just got signed up and approved.)

Tourism is big to MI and to the Soo, but that is not the main concern of the Corps of Engineers. Do not get me wrong, the Corps personnel I have talked to at the Soo have been very friendly and they have been very great on Engineer's Day. I realize they have a job to do and I realize that security is a part of that job since 9/11. But I just wonder if it is being taken too far.

The Corps does plan a lot of work at the locks park. I guess I should wait until they are finished before making a final judgment.

Besides, there is always Mission Point to watch boats from!

torgy1962 wrote:Yet their sister locks on the Mississippi River and such often have nice picnic/fishing areas. Select locks have visitors centers, staffed by COE employees, from which a Corps of Engineers Park Ranger leads lock tours several times a day. In other words, "Visitors Welcome!"

I guess the government trusts "river" people more than they trust "lake" people!

Yet their sister locks on the Mississippi River and such often have nice picnic/fishing areas. Select locks have visitors centers, staffed by COE employees, from which a Corps of Engineers Park Ranger leads lock tours several times a day. In other words, "Visitors Welcome!"

Short of carrying rocket launchers (RPGs) into the area, and I'm Sure someone would notice that, what could a person in the observation deck due to to harm a ship? I would think the CG and the Army Corps of Engineers would be way more worried about smaller boats coming into the locks, and or lurking around above and below the locks than people watching ships lock through from up on the deck. Besides just trying to piss Americans off, do you think Bin-Laden really cares if Duluth gets their wind generator parts, or if some steel mill in Indiana gets iron ore? I think they are going a tad overboard on this claiming it's for national security.

No matter what there can not be any open access to the lock , ship , or people working in the area . Hence the reason for high fences , glassed in on ALL sides observation decks and no parking nearby . You can bet that THE MAN will be watching you too, with increased video surveillance , so behave , any suspicious behavior may be noticed and most certainly will be checked out , what with the new lock coming and all that . The Soo Locks are way too vital to the economic engine of both the US & Canada . The feelings of a few ` boat happy ` persons who want to see and enjoy the rapidly disappearing era of real lakers is just not on the list of things to worry about anymore . Getting those ships through at no risk to them , their crews and their cargo is the new ` mission ` of the Army Corps of Engineers , no more , no less .

The people in Washington could care less about the Sault or Boat fans or even taxpayers. They have decided that we are all terriorst and must be kept away from all waterways and railways and airports.

If I can not take pictures of the boats than why go to the Sault espically with gasoline prices of four and five dollars per gallon.

It would be nice if the City would build a deck on the west pier so we could photograph over the fence of boats coming through the drawbridges. This would help bring people to the area. But the way its going in the future I will have to keep my money at home.

Guest wrote:I think they meant glass on 3 sides to block wind & rain, not the side facing the locks. You are correct, with glass on all 4 sides, it would be like a greenhouse, very hot inside!

You just know that there will be glass on the sides facing the locks just like the end stands.

It's pretty sad when the government runs people off of the lakes, people that loved the lakes and used the lakes as their way of making a living .

Guest wrote:The story in the Soo Evening News mentioned that the new observation deck will have glass on the sides. Do they mean completely enclosed in glass? Taking pictures through a window does not work if the glass is not clean. And I don't know about anyone else, but the two smaller platforms on each end could get pretty hot inside during the summer with the sun beating on them. By what another person posted in a different thread on the regional discussion, the Corps plan to take down the two end platforms anyhow.

That, along with these new fences should drive people away. I wonder if that is their plan all along? It sure seems like it.

Guest, why would they want to drive people away though? Tourism is a big part of MI, and especially of the Soo. If it weren't for the locks, there would be no reason to go to the Soo.

Actually it is pretty well par for the course now , all these new ` security ` upgrades are in place for one reason , to keep undesirables as far away from the locks as possible . The Welland Canal pretty well did the same thing . Fencing not at all suitable for photography . No where to park close to the locks , and the crews have a very difficult time now getting off the ship to go home or get supplies while their vessel is locking through . All in the name of progress . So right when it`s said that the Corps of Engineers / Government could care less about boatnerds or tourists . I don`t sail anymore , left the lakes over 10 years ago , and one of my main reasons was this insanity . A pleasurable way to make a living just plain became intolerable . And they wonder why they can`t find Mates and Engineers for the lakers anymore , there`s your answer .

I think they meant glass on 3 sides to block wind & rain, not the side facing the locks. You are correct, with glass on all 4 sides, it would be like a greenhouse, very hot inside!

The story in the Soo Evening News mentioned that the new observation deck will have glass on the sides. Do they mean completely enclosed in glass? Taking pictures through a window does not work if the glass is not clean. And I don't know about anyone else, but the two smaller platforms on each end could get pretty hot inside during the summer with the sun beating on them. By what another person posted in a different thread on the regional discussion, the Corps plan to take down the two end platforms anyhow.

That, along with these new fences should drive people away. I wonder if that is their plan all along? It sure seems like it.

You must remember that the Corp of Engineers/US Government could care less about the tourists/boatnerds. From conversations over the years they consider it a monumental pain to take care of the parks and the viewing areas. That means they hate the costs involved. I'm old enough to remember when you could walk right up to the edge of the locks, before they even had fences. People are lucky they rebuilt the center platform because I would bet it was discussed about doing away with all the viewing areas in the name of "Security".

Wow, that fence is ugly!!
Much better off watching boats in Duluth where there is no fence at all between you and the boats!

I agree, Randy. It's pathetic because if a terrorist wanted to do so harm to a boat, that fence will not stop him. The only people it is hurting are the boatnerds/families/general public. Brilliant.