When Do Michigan's Soo Locks Open for the Season?

The first official day of spring is Monday - another sure sign spring is on the way, Michigan's Soo Locks are opening up soon!

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Soo Locks 2023 Opening Day

The Soo Locks in Sault St. Marie are set to reopen March 25, 2023, marking the start of The Great Lakes Shipping Season.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Soo Project Office will open the Poe Lock at 12:01 a.m. March 25.

Visitors are welcome into the park for the 2023 Soo Locks season opening. The park and viewing platform will open March 24 at 11 p.m. and close March 25 at 1 a.m.

The Soo Locks Visitor Center will also host an open house March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to a release, the operating season is fixed by federal regulation and driven in part by the feasibility of ships operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions.

January 2023 photo of lock repairs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

The Poe Lock closed in January for 10 weeks of maintenance, which included replacing concrete, valve and seal repairs, electrical and mechanical systems inspections, and more.

The MacArthur Lock, located south of the Poe, is scheduled to open April 24.

Nov. 2022 photos of work on new lock, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

Work on a New Lock in ongoing.

The Soo Locks Park is open each day 9a.m. to 6p.m. Though the Visitors Center will be open March 25, it will officially open for the summer season May 1, 2023.

Watch the Soo Locks Open From Home

For those not able to attend the Soo Locks opening in person, there will be a Facebook Live stream of the first ship the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District Facebook page starting at 11:55 p.m., March 24.

You can watch here.

Soo Locks Engineers Day is set for June 30, 2023. Visitors are welcome into the Soo Locks facility and across the MacArthur Lock 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, June 30.

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