Referring to the Panama Canal - What is a lock?

In the context of the Panama Canal, a lock is a chamber with gates at each end that allow ships to pass from one water level to another. The locks are necessary because the Panama Canal is built across the Continental Divide, and there is a significant difference in water levels between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

When a ship enters a lock, the gates behind it are closed, and the water in the lock is raised or lowered to match the water level of the next section of the canal. The ship then passes through the open gates and into the next section of the canal.

The Panama Canal has a total of six locks, three on each side. Each lock is about 1,000 feet long, 110 feet wide, and 75 feet deep. The locks can accommodate ships up to 1,200 feet long and 150 feet wide.

The Panama Canal locks are an important part of the canal's operation, and they allow ships to pass through the canal safely and efficiently.