Boatnerd Discussion Forum

The relevant regulation actually states"...(2) Closing date. The locks will be maintained in operation only for the passage of down bound vessels departing from a Lake Superior port before midnight (2400 hours) of January 14, and of upbound vessels passing Detour before midnight (2400 hours) of January 15. Vessel owners are requested to report in advance to the Engineer in charge at Sault Ste. Marie, the name of vessel and time of departure from a Lake Superior port on January 14 before midnight, and of vessels passing Detour on January 15 before midnight, which may necessitate the continued operation of a lock to permit passage of vessel"

So, under normal circumstances for a downbound vessel the criteria is that they must depart their berth before midnight on the 14th.

There is also a provision for an extension on the closing date due to "extraordinary circumstances", and I have also heard that it has been extended a day this year (at least for downbound vessels)

CSL Tadoussac will be fine arriving in Duluth with salt on 1/16, as she will be laying up in Thunder Bay.

I believe that the time you enquired upon for the Soo Locks closing date is at 2359 on January 15, 2015. The time for the opening is generally at 0001 hours on March 25. However, this year though the closing date has been extended an extra day, so I suppose that the actual closing date this year will be on January 16, 2015 rather than on January 15 as it usually is.

What is the usual closing date/time ? Is it Jan. 15 at 0001 or 2359 ? TIA

The lock closure has been extended 24 hours for downbound vessels only. Must depart Duluth by 2359 1/15/15. Upbounders must pass Detour by 2359 on 1/15/15.

According to the Duluth Shipping News site, Edwin H. Gott is supposed to lay up in Duluth this year. Just rumor until it happens, but that probably explains the Gott.

Duluth Shipping News' website still lists and posts the same list for Vessel Traffic and Expected Arrivals as it did earlier today when I posted this question. So, we are now back to my original question and that is "Has the USACE, Lake Carriers and the Shipping firms tried to get an extension to the January 15 Soo Lock closing with all of the ice and the delays it is causing?" Has or will the USACE make any official announcements on their intentions? If anyone has any information or hears of any news, it would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The CE did extend the closing of the locks in winter '12 by nearly a week, and opened them up 12 hr early that following march due to the lack of ice. Was nice to watch the Miner and Munson lock through that day.

The closing date for the Soo Locks is January 15 as most all of us know by now. However if one was to go and look at the website for the Duluth Shipping News and scroll all the way down the page near the bottom, check out some of the dates! After seeing that, it makes you wonder "Will they extend the Soo Locks closing by a few extra days?" I ask this because, the James R. Barker and the Thunder Bay are both scheduled in on January 15 to load iron ore pellets. The CSL Tadoussac is due to arrive on January 16 with salt and the Edwin H. Gott is due to arrive the same day for layup as well. The Kaye E. Barker is expected to arrive at Fraser for layup on January 17. My point is, according to those dates they would have to extend the Soo Locks closing date of January 15th in order for those vessels to be in and out of Duluth/Superior past the close date of January 15 at the Locks correct? Has anyone heard if they plan to extend the closing date by a few extra days? The USACE has done this in the past and just wonder if they plan to do it again this season? Any information is appreciated. Thanks in advance.