Canso Canal facts for kids
The Canso Canal is a short waterway in Nova Scotia, Canada. It helps ships travel between different parts of the ocean. This canal is an important part of the Canso Causeway, a large structure that connects Cape Breton Island to mainland Nova Scotia.
Quick facts for kids Canso Canal |
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Canso Canal lock and lighthouse
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 Location in Nova Scotia
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| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°38′53″N 61°24′50″W / 45.64806°N 61.41389°W |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 0.56 km (0.35 miles) |
| Maximum boat length | 225.6 m (740 ft 2 in) |
| Maximum boat beam | 23.8 m (78 ft 1 in) |
| Minimum boat draft | 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in) |
| Locks | 1 (Seawaymax Lock) |
| Status | Open |
| Navigation authority | Canadian Coast Guard Maritimes Region |
| History | |
| Principal engineer | O.J. McCulloch Engineers Ltd. of Montreal |
| Construction began | 1953 |
| Date completed | September 2, 1955 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | St. George's Bay in the Northumberland Strait, a sub-basin of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the north. |
| End point | Chedabucto Bay of the Atlantic Ocean to the south |
Where is the Canso Canal?
The Canso Canal is found in the Strait of Canso. This strait is a narrow passage of water. The canal is on the eastern side of the Canso Causeway. A causeway is like a road built across water.
The Canso Causeway was finished in 1955. It carries a highway and a railway track. This causeway completely blocks the Strait of Canso. The canal was built to allow ships to still pass through.
The Strait of Canso connects two important bodies of water. To the north, it links to St. George's Bay. This bay is part of the Northumberland Strait, which leads to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. To the south, it connects to Chedabucto Bay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.
How Big is the Canso Canal?
Workers built the Canso Canal between 1953 and 1955. It is about 24 metres (79 feet) wide. The canal stretches for about 570 m (1,870 ft) long. It has a depth of at least 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in).
The canal has one special lock. A lock is like a water elevator for ships. It helps ships move between water levels that have different tides. This lock is big enough for any ship that can travel through the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Right next to the canal, there is a bridge. It is called the Canso Canal Bridge. This bridge is 94-metre-long (308 ft). It swings open to let ships pass. The bridge carries the Trans-Canada Highway and a railway line.
How the Canso Canal Works
Ships that want to use the Canso Canal must follow rules. The Canadian Coast Guard helps guide ships safely. They have a special system to manage all the vessel traffic.
Every year, many ships use the Canso Canal. On average, about 2,069 ships pass through. These ships carry a lot of goods, about 1.88 million tons each year. Most of the ships are owned by shipping companies or fishermen. Some government ships also use the canal. The rest are smaller boats, like pleasure crafts.
