The swing bridge could be turned to let ships through the canal. The canal had two extra water level control spillways to maintain the canal level (other than the normal canal working flows and Cotton mill usage). The first one is near the foot of Brookdale and is still there. It used excess water to generate power at a powerhouse just west of where the Air Force Wing is now located. The old foundation is still there on the river bank. This spillway also kept the canal flowing after the Seaway since without it, the canal would have been stagnant. This flow fed Domtar, but Domtar never took enough water out to keep the canal clean after Seaway. The second spillway was between locks 17 & 15 in the large area where ships were allowed to hold and pass. It spilled directly into the river flowing South from that area. It was west of what was called “Lover’s Lane” many years ago.

~ Notes: Ray Amell.