To overcome this elevation difference, the Panama Canal was designed with a series of locks that function like elevators, raising or lowering ships between the two oceans. These locks allow vessels to gradually transition between the different water levels, ensuring safe passage through the canal.
1. Atlantic Side Locks:
- The Atlantic side of the Panama Canal has three sets of locks: Gatun Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, and Miraflores Locks.
- These locks are located near the Atlantic entrance of the canal in the Gatun Lake area.
- As a ship enters the canal from the Atlantic, it ascends through these locks, each of which raises the vessel by approximately 26 feet (8 meters).
- This brings the ship up to the level of Gatun Lake, which serves as the summit elevation for the canal.
2. Pacific Side Locks:
- On the Pacific side of the canal, there are two sets of locks: Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks.
- These locks are located near the Pacific entrance of the canal, close to Panama City.
- As a ship prepares to exit the canal toward the Pacific Ocean, it descends through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks.
- Each lock lowers the vessel by approximately 26 feet (8 meters), allowing it to reach the lower water level of the Pacific Ocean.
By using these locks, ships can safely navigate between the different ocean levels, traversing the Panama Canal and shortening travel distances between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The locks play a crucial role in facilitating global maritime trade and commerce, reducing travel time and costs compared to alternative routes, such as sailing around South America.
