Sault Canal Emergency Swing Dam

The Sault Canal Emergency Swing Dam is an all-metal structure built by the Dominion Bridge Company in 1896.

Marie Canal, to protect against the rush of water that would occur if something ever damaged the Sault locks.

It operates by swinging over the canal and dropping wicket gates into the water.

The Emergency Dam was put to the ultimate test on June 9, 1909, when the freighter Perry G. Walker crashed into the upstream lock sending a torrent of water crashing into the downstream lock.

The swing dam proved its worth by slowing down the torrent of water.