How a lock works
What happens if a boat has to go through stretches of water of differing levels? Or through rapids? When Lewis and Clark explored the west, they often had to portage their smaller boat around waterfalls and rapids. But it's not so easy with a big boat full of coal. Or people. The answer is a lock. The Erie Canal, for example, which rises some 550 feet from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, has 57 locks.
Now you can impress your friends and coworkers with these tidbits of lock history. (Although do this only if the actual subject of locks comes up. Preferable not by you during a conversation about weekend plans.) A note of disclosure: I may have gotten the following operation backward. If it doesn't make sense, reverse everything in your head and see if that helps. |