#1 – Opening of the 2001 Navigation Season
February 23, 2001
Opening of the 2001 Navigation Season
The opening of the 2001 navigation season is scheduled to take place on the following dates and times:
- Montreal-Lake Ontario March 23, 2001 – 0800 hours (E.S.T.)
- Welland Canal March 23, 2001 – 0800 hours (E.S.T.)
Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Navigation may be restricted to daylight hours in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed.
The Seaway entities also announce that, for the 2001 navigation season, the clearance date for the Montreal-Lake Ontario Section has been designated as 2400 hours December 20. The closing date will be no later than December 24, provided that weather and ice conditions permit.
The “clearance date” is the date by which vessels must report at the applicable calling-in point referred to in subsection 97(3), Part X, of the Seaway Handbook, for the final transit of the Montreal-Lake Ontario Section of the Seaway.
Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canals
- Canada
The Canadian Sault Ste. Marie Lock is closed to navigation for an indefinite period of time. - United States
United States Soo Locks will open March 25.
Allowable Draft
In the Montreal Lake Ontario Section, the draft will be 79.2 dm (26’0GÇ¥) until the South Shore Canal is ice free at which time the draft will be increased to 80 dm (26’3GÇ¥), this will occur no later than April 15. Draft of 80 dm (26’3GÇ¥) will be in effect in the Welland Canal for the full season.
February 23, 2001