The Southwest Passage

The Southwest Passage is assumed to be 1500 miles long, 500 feet wide and an average of 80 feet deep. It will consist of 200 locks, with an average of 40 feet between locks. The Southwest Passage uses standard Pump-Back technology for the uphill locks and standard hydroelectric technology for the downhill locks. The uphill locks will pump water only during off-peak hours. During on-peak hours, when the nation’s grid is running at maximum capacity, the pumps will become generators. This will add to our nation’s on-peak capacity, while still moving the required water over the continental divide. Each up-hill lock will have a generator/pump capable of pumping up to 250,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), and generating up to 475 megawatts during on-peak periods. Each downhill lock will have a generator capable of producing up to 410 megawatts of electricity using the 150,000 CFS of water flow.

The canal will be excavated, or built up, where riverbeds do not exist. Specially designed locks or gates will be positioned along the route as necessary, to lift the water up or down to the next level. These gates are similar to those used on the Thames River for flood control. The gates will lower, to allow barge traffic to pass, then raise to lift the barges to the next level. The gates alternate, with one gate open, and the gates on either side closed. This allows for the barges to move continuously, being pulled along like a streetcar. The entire section between gates functions as the lock. These gates are proprietary technology, and additional information will be provided after patent application.