The Sault, we have it on good authority, is the only place in the world where people get excited about an orange-painted swinging dam.
The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada advises us that the much-anticipated Fall Swinging of the Emergency Swing Bridge Dam will take place one week from today, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 14.
Like some of the listless loafers employed here at SooToday News, the dam thing must be moved twice a year to make sure that its moving parts remain functional.
The 107-year-old structure is said to be the the only remaining emergency swing bridge dam in the world.
It's designed to reduce the flow of water through the canal, allowing repairs to be made after accidents.
The dam proved its usefulness on June 9, 1909, when the steamer Perry G. Walker knocked out the lower gates. The released water from the lock pushed the Walker and two other waiting vessels back into the shipping channel and across the river.
Archival photos
To see water rushing through the locks after the 1909 accident, please click here.
To see the emergency swinging dam doing what it was designed to do, click here.
If you go
The dam is the big orange bridge-like thing west of the lock.
During the swing, heritage interpreters will explain everything you'll ever want to know about the dam and its wickets, shutters and other mysteries.
Afterward, refreshments will be served in the Visitors' Centre.
Hot dam!
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