12/5/25 The St. Lawerence Seaway will be closing the locks on January 5th, repeating last years latest seasonal closure for the system since the seaway was constructed in 1959. The closure date was set forth in a Notice from the Seaway System dated 10/17/2024 outlining the final deadlines for the entire Great Lakes and St. Lawrence systems. I expect the shipping to start ramping up as we are in the final month, be sure to watch the LIVE VIDEO STREAM for ship traffic. 

If you are new to the channel, even though the marine traffic stops the cameras are still live all winter long.  Wintertime watching can be very beautiful and offers a different view of our river paradise. We tend to see more wildlife and their was a fox in full view running the channel on very thin ice that didn't seem to cross its mind. Yes, it does quiet down but even the river needs a winter break with groups like Save The River says "navigation during winter conditions can disrupt fish and wildlife habitats. Also, it warns ice cover can amplify wakes, scouring the riverbed and releasing heavy metals and other pollutants that have accumulated there over the years. "