International Rapids

The International Rapids refer to a section of the St. Lawrence River between the eastern end of Lake Ontario and Montreal. This stretch was a significant obstacle to navigation due to rapids and waterfalls. To overcome these challenges and create a continuous deep waterway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway project was undertaken jointly by Canada and the United States. Completed in 1959, the seaway involved extensive engineering, including the construction of canals and locks, to bypass these rapids and allow oceangoing vessels to reach North America's industrial heartland. The development of hydroelectric power was also a key component of this project in the International Rapids section.12