Question map
Which one of the following pairs of lakes is connected by Soo Canal?
Explanation
The Soo Canal (also known as the Sault Ste. Marie Canal or Soo Locks) connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron [1]. These locks are situated on the St. Marys River, which serves as the natural outlet for Lake Superior. Because Lake Superior is approximately 21 feet higher than Lake Huron, the river originally featured rapids that were impassable for large vessels. The canal and locks were constructed to bypass these rapids, allowing ships to navigate between the two lakes. While Lake Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario are all part of the broader Great Lakes-St. Lawrence inland waterway system, the specific connection facilitated by the Soo Canal is between Superior and Huron [1]. In contrast, the Welland Canal connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, bypassing Niagara Falls.
Sources
- [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > The Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway > p. 65