Coffer dam installation begins at Sault lock (10 photos)

The first pieces of a coffer dam that will allow the Sault recreational lock to be completely cleared of water went in yesterday.

"Over the next two weeks, the coffer dam will be constructed (from pieces reminiscent of a huge yellow Meccano set) on the lower canal floor to prevent water from entering the lock from the low side of the St. Marys River," says Manon Cuthbertson, visitor services/ heritage presentation person for Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada. "Once the coffer dam is in place, the lock can be completely unwatered using portable pumps."

The Canadian recreational lock is closed to marine traffic for the season for inspection, repair, maintenance and upgrades.

Cuthbertson anticipates Parks Canada staff will find many unusual items once the lock is fully drained since the bottom has not been inspected since the present recreational lock was constructed within the historic lock in 1998.

In earlier times, the lock was drained yearly for maintenance and upgrades and part of that maintenance included picking up all the items boaters and visitors to the lock have dropped in the water.

Cuthbertson also anticipates staff will be rescuing a few fish that may have been trapped when the gates were closed and the lock was drained to the downstream level a few weeks ago.

The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site remains open to the public during the project this season.

The lock is closed to marine traffic, which is being rerouted through the American locks, but the site itself is still very much open to visitors, Cuthbertson said.

Staff is also continuing daily tours of the site including information on the new construction project daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and by appointment by calling 941-6205.

Access to South St. Marys Island and the Attikamek trails will remain available throughout the project.

For more on the project, visit the Sault Canal's webpage.