Black Rock Lock facts for kids
The Black Rock Lock is a special water elevator for boats located in Buffalo, New York. It's about 650 feet long and 70 feet wide. This lock has one main section, and its huge gate weighs 480 tons! The Black Rock Lock has been an important part of the Black Rock area since New York State built the famous Erie Canal in 1833.
The Black Rock Channel
The Black Rock Channel is a waterway that stretches from Buffalo Harbor to the Black Rock Lock. This channel is about three and a half miles long. It was built to help boats avoid dangerous reefs, fast currents, and rapids in the Niagara River.
Boats using the channel, like pleasure boats and big cargo ships, can't be longer than 625 feet. They also can't go deeper than 21 feet into the water. If you're on a smaller pleasure boat, you must always let the bigger commercial ships go first. This helps keep everyone safe!
There are three bridges that cross over the Black Rock Channel:
- The Peace Bridge
- The Ferry Street Bridge
- The International Railroad Bridge
The Peace Bridge is the first bridge you'll see when coming from the south end of the channel. It stands about 200 feet above the water. Next is the Ferry Street Bridge, which is a lift bridge. It's about 1.9 miles from the channel's south entrance and stands 17.3 feet above the water. Finally, about 3.1 miles from the south entrance, you'll find the International Railroad Bridge. This is a swing bridge, and when it's closed, it's about 17 feet above the water.
History of the Black Rock Lock
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built the Black Rock Lock between 1908 and 1913. It was created as part of the Erie Canal system. The lock was designed to help large ships from the Great Lakes carry important goods to businesses and industries in Western New York.
The lock has had several major upgrades over the years. Its first big repair happened in 1975. Then, from 1984 to 1986, the lock's guard gates and operating system were fixed up. Since the 1990s, many improvements have been made to make the lock a safer place to work. This includes adding new fences, railings, and ladders. The lock houses have also been refurbished, and the concrete walls where boats approach have been made wider and stronger.
