Waterway Traffic on the Great Lakes

Since the earliest times in United States history, the Great Lakes have been a vital artery of commerce, serving an area rich in natural resources and industrial facilities. From meager beginnings as storm havens for sailing vessels, great harbors have been developed and are maintained by the Great Lakes Division of the Corps of Engineers, United States Army. The work of this division in improving harbor and navigational facilities is recounted. Statistics are cited to show the magnitude of commerce carried by the lakes and the dependence of this shipping on constant maintenance of channels and harbors. The increase of Great Lakes trade to world-wide scope would be made possible by construction of the St. Lawrence River Seaway facility, and the cost and significance of this project is discussed.