In the Parc des Rapides, in the Montréal area, we can see how turbulent the River can be.
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Rapids
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In parts of the River, the bottom is rugged, the water level is low and the current is fast. The waters here are turbulent and choppy. These areas comprising rapids are difficult for ships to travel through.
The Lachine Rapids, located near Montréal, were an obstacle to navigation before a lock and canal were built nearby. However, for many people today, whitewater rafting is a form of recreation.
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The St. Lawrence Seaway
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In the late 1950s, impressive work was done to enable bigger ships to travel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.
From Montréal to Lake Erie, a deep channel was dug and 15 locks were built (2 on the US side and 13 on the Canadian side) to bypass rapids and dams.
Called the St. Lawrence Seaway, this 3700 km-long route is nicknamed Highway H2O.
