The Soo Locks in Sault Sainte Marie were closed for the season at midnight Tuesday, January 19. Maintenance will be performed during the winter on the lock structures and channels.

The 858-foot vessel Roger Blough cleared the lower gates of the Poe Lock at 6:33 p.m. January 15, heading downbound with 41,100 tons of taconite, making it the last vessel through the locks, marking the official closing to vessel traffic.

The total cargo carrier tonnage amounts were down a little more than 33% compared to last year, with iron ore being the most frequent cargo carried through the locks.

More than eight billon tons of cargo have passed through the locks since 1855.

During the lock closure, crews will work on the Poe Lock, including sandblasting and painting, completing plumbing and preventive maintenance on the hydraulic system and associated components, repairing parts on safety booms, replacing fender timbers, and other general maintenance.

The locks will reopen to shipping traffic March 25 at 12:01 a.m.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the locks.