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Managing Organization:
Camping Coteau Landing
Notes:
The first Soulanges Canal, built in 1779-1780, was the first in North America to have locks. It was replaced by the Beauharnois Canal in the mid-19th century, but by 1899, a new, 14-mile long Soulanges Canal was inaugurated to enable ships to avoid the Cascades, Cedar and Coteau rapids in the northern arm of the St. Lawrence River linking Lac Saint-Louis and Lac Saint-François between the Grande Ile and the Ile de Valleyfield. The canal and the range lights that marked its eastern and western ends were discontinued following the inauguration of the St. Lawrence Seaway (ca. 1960), but today there are plans to reopen the canal for pleasure boaters. After being neglected for a number of years, all four range lights have been restored but remain inactive. The Canal Upper Entrance Rear Light is located near the main entrance to a camping ground in Les Coteaux. Height of Focal Plane: 46 Characteristic and Range: Fixed red; range 5 miles. Description of Tower: White, circular iron tower and lantern with a red roof, 1585 ft from the front light.
This light is not operational
Date Established: 1902 Date Deactivated: c. 1960 Current Use: Local attraction. Open To Public? Grounds only. Directions:
From Highway 20 take Exit 12 to Highway 338 in Coteau Landing (now officially known as Les Coteaux), then the Chemin du Fleuve (Rue Principale). The lighthouse is located near a railway overpass, close to the entrance to the Camping Coteau Landing on the east side of the canal.
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