How does the Welland Canal help ships travel between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario?

The Welland Canal is a vital waterway in southern Ontario, Canada, that enables large vessels to navigate between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It serves as a necessary bypass for the Niagara River, which contains impassable falls and rapids that prevent direct travel between the two lakes.1

To manage the 100-metre (327-foot) difference in elevation between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, the canal utilizes a system of eight locks. These locks allow ships to be raised or lowered incrementally, overcoming the significant height disparity over the canal's 44.4-km (27.6-mile) length. As an essential link in the St. Lawrence Seaway, the modern canal accommodates large vessels and typically allows for transit in less than eight hours.12