NEW AMERICAN CANAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 200, 22 September 1916, Page 2

NEW AMERICAN CANAL.

A Seattle dispatch, dated July 12th, states:—The Salmon Bay locks of Lake Washington Ship Canal were closed at low tide this morning, and the fresh water of Lake Union poured into Salmon Bay, which was formerly a salt water arm of Puget Sound, began to raise the surface of the bay to the height of the lake, or 26 feet above the present mean level of Salmon Bay. The locks, together with eight miles of canal, will permit passage of ocean steamers into Lakes Union and Washington, giving Seattle a fresh-water harbour. The gates of the lock arc fashioned after those of the Panama Canal. There are three' sets of operating gates in addition to two sots of guard gates. The highest gate is 53 feet. The lake canal project, which is' now practically completed, has cost the nation, State,-ami county 3,275,000 dollars. In two weeks ocean steamers may enter Salmon Bay. Progress into Lake Union and Lake Washington must wait until several city bridges can be constructed. and the entire canal will be formally opened next June.