Nicaragua canal to break ground, hoping to rival Panama

AP ^ | December 21, 2014 | Staff

[hanamizu]

Because the Panama Canal is not a sea-level canal. Ships must travel up and over the continental divide. The water in the canal is fresh water from Lake Gatun. The locks can accomidate the differences in sea level and the fresh water of the Panama Canal keeps marine creatures out.

[thackney]

And this canal will be the same.

[hanamizu]

I thought the big advantage of the Nicaraguan canal was that it was to be sea level.

[eartrumpet]

THIS JUST IN: Congressman Hank Johnson fears if the new canal is cut, the entire section between the new canal and the Panama Canal could possibly just drift out to sea...film at 11.

My gosh, I hadn't even thought of that!

[thackney]

You think Nicaragua is at near sea level across the country from coast to coast?

There has been speculation of fewer locks, perhaps 12 but I have not seen an official design yet.

But Lake Nicaragua is over 100 feet above sea level.