Ep 39. St. Lawrence Seaway

The St. Lawrence Seaway is one of the most important waterways in North America, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean through a system of locks and canals. In this episode of Modern Marvels, we explore the engineering and construction of this monumental feat of modern transportation.

We start by delving into the visionaries who dreamed up the idea of a seaway connecting the heartland of North America to global commerce via the Atlantic Ocean. We learn about the early attempts to navigate the rapids and falls along the St. Lawrence River, and how the seaway project was put on hold during the two world wars.

Next, we learn about the daunting engineering challenges faced by the designers and builders of the seaway. Massive dams had to be built to raise the water levels of the Great Lakes, a system of locks had to be constructed to raise and lower ships, and thousands of workers had to be employed to build the massive canals that make up the seaway.

We also explore the environmental impact of the seaway, both positive and negative. On the one hand, the seaway opened up new markets for North American goods and helped revitalize the economies of the Midwest and Northeast. On the other hand, the seaway also led to a decline in the populations of some fish species and disrupted the natural ecosystems of the Great Lakes region.

Throughout the episode, we meet the people who made the seaway possible, from the engineers and builders who labored for years to create this modern marvel to the ship captains and port workers who keep the seaway running smoothly today. We also see the many different types of ships that navigate the seaway, from the massive cargo vessels that transport millions of tons of goods to the smaller pleasure boats that ply the waters of the St. Lawrence River for recreation.

Overall, this episode of Modern Marvels offers a fascinating and informative look at one of North America's most important transportation systems. Whether you're interested in engineering, history, or the environment, this episode is sure to offer something of value. So set sail with us as we explore the wonders of the St. Lawrence Seaway.