TravelerI asked that question, too, and it seems that there are 2 in case one fails. Expensive back-up but cheaper than damaging a ship. Even the original locks have 2 gates
TravelerMy guess is they’re afraid of failures because of water contamination. Both ends of the canal branch into Lake Gatun, which is the main source of fresh water for Panama City and Colon. Each time they open the locks it gets a little more salinated. But if the locks fail…
February 10 in Panama ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Traveler
That’s SO COOL! Why 2 gates though?
TravelerI asked that question, too, and it seems that there are 2 in case one fails. Expensive back-up but cheaper than damaging a ship. Even the original locks have 2 gates
TravelerMy guess is they’re afraid of failures because of water contamination. Both ends of the canal branch into Lake Gatun, which is the main source of fresh water for Panama City and Colon. Each time they open the locks it gets a little more salinated. But if the locks fail…