A gravity flow system is used to release water into the Panama Canal locks, i.e. there are no electrical pumps utilized in the process. Huge culverts, each "large enough to drive a train through", fill each lock chamber with 101,000 cubic meters of water in about 8 minutes.
Panama Canal - Gatun Locks
How Panama Canal Locks Work
As can be seen in the picture below, ships leaving Gatun Lake must go down to enter the Caribbean Sea. The Gatun Locks are used for this part of the transit.
Panama Canal Picture (c) Linda Garrison
More on Panama and the Panama Canal
Through the Panama Canal on a Turkish Coal FreighterMore Panama PicturesPanama Shore Excursion - San Blas Islands
More on Panama
Panama Shore Excursion - Taboga IslandTurnover of the Panama Canal from the U.S. to PanamaLibrary of Links with Information on Panama
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