Speed Limits and Restrictions
This page provides an at-a-glance overview of speed restrictions and high spots in the Seaway. It serves as a summary of Notices to Shipping and is intended for mariners who wish to access this information quickly, without having to consult the relevant notices individually.
Last Updated : 5/29/2026
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Maximum Speed over the Bottom (knots)
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Column I - From
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Column II - To
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Column III
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Column IV
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1
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Upper Entrance South Shore Canal
Buoy A1
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Lake St. Louis
Buoy A13
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10.5
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10.5
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2
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Lake St. Louis
Buoy A13
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Lower Entrance
Lower Beauharnois Lock
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12 (upb)
14 (dnb)
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11 (upb)
13 (dnb)
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3
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Upper Entrance
Upper Beauharnois Lock
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Lake St. Francis
Buoy D1
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9 (upb)
10.5 (dnb)
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9 (upb)
10.5 (dnb)
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4
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Lake St. Francis
Buoy D1
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Lake St. Francis
Buoy D49
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12 (upb)
13.5 (dnb)
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12 (upb)
13.5 (dnb)
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5
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Lake St. Francis
Buoy D49
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Snell Lock
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8.5 (upb)
10.5 (dnb)
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8 (upb)
10.5 (dnb)
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6
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Eisenhower Lock
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Iroquois Lock
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11.5
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10.5
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7
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Iroquois Lock
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McNair Island Light Buoy 137
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13
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10.5
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8
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McNair Island Light Buoy 137
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Deer Island Lt. 186
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11.5
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10.5
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9
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Deer Island Lt. 186
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Bartlett Point Lt. 227
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8.5 (upb)
10.5 (dnb)
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8 (upb)
10.5 (dnb)
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10
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Bartlett Point Lt. 227
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Tibbetts Point Traffic Lighted Buoy Mo (A)
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13
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10.5
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11
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Junction of Canadian Middle Channel and Main Channel abreast of Ironsides Island
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Open waters between Wolfe and Howe Islands through the Canadian Middle Channel
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9.5
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9.5
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12
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Port Robinson
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Ramey's Bend through
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8
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8
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13
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All other canals
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Ramey's Bend through
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6
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6
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Speeds in bold are currently in effect. Highlighted areas have additional zone specific restrictions.
Please see notice below for details.
2026 – #6 Speed Restrictions – MLO Section
2026 – #7 Revised Shallow Depths and Associated Restrictions in the Welland Canal
Maximum Drafts
| Montreal - Lake Ontario : |
8.08 m
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| Welland Canal : |
8.08 m
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Speed Restrictions - Montreal Lake Ontario (MLO) section
High Spots - Montreal Lake Ontario (MLO) section
High Spots - Welland