The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, are a critical link in the Great Lakes Navigation System, enabling the movement of nearly 86 million tons of cargo annually, including 95% of the taconite iron ore mined in the United States. During winter and spring, large ice floes can enter lock approaches and chambers during vessel transit, slowing operations and creating challenges for efficient navigation. 

To help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluate potential solutions, Verdantas designed and constructed a 1:36-scale physical model of the Soo Locks and surrounding approach channels. The model replicates vessel navigation, hydraulic conditions, and ice movement using operable lock components and approximately 12,500 pounds of specially selected ice analog material. This approach allows the team to study how ice behaves around vessels and critical infrastructure under a range of operating conditions. 

Through an extensive testing program, Verdantas is evaluating mitigation measures including bubble curtains, ice booms, and alternative ice management strategies. The study provides detailed insight into where ice accumulates, how it moves through the system, and which approaches may be most effective at reducing ice intrusion into lock chambers. Findings from the physical model will help inform future operational strategies that support reliable navigation and strengthen the resilience of one of North America's most important transportation corridors.