The Peterborough Lift Lock
Text from the plaque
Opened in 1904, with a lift of 19.8 meters, this is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world and the first of two built in North America, both on the Trent-Severn Waterway. It operates on a balance principle. A constant water pressure supports each ram through connecting pipes below ground. When extra water is let into the upper chamber, a connecting valve is opened and the heavier chamber automatically descends forcing up the lower chamber to start a new cycle. Among innovations on this lift were the use of concrete, air-filled seals, drop gates, and cast-steel presses for the rams.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Peterborough
The City of Peterborough
At the east end of Hunter Street East at the lift lock
behind the visitor centre
N 44 18.448 W 78 18.058
Recorded June 2009. Check current access before visiting.
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