Panama Canal: Sea-Level vs Lock Design (1906)
by Anonymous
The French had failed building a sea-level canal. The Americans debated the same approach vs a lock-based design that would be easier to build. Chief Engineer John Stevens convinced Roosevelt to choose locks.
Lock-Based Canal
1906
year
Create artificial lake (Gatun), build locks
engineering challenge
~$375 million (1914 dollars)
cost
Chosen — opened 1914, still operating
outcome
Sea-Level Canal
1906
year
Excavate to sea level through mountains
engineering challenge
Far more expensive, decades longer
cost
Not chosen — French failure proved it impractical
outcome
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