Copeland Cut (Wiley-Donero Canal)

Relatively familiar with the section of St. Lawrence River between the Eisenhower and Iroquois Locks, yet had never heard of the "Copeland Cut" portion of the Seaway Channel.

The Wiley Dondero Canal
Bypassing the old system of locks and canals
between Farran's Point and Cornwall.

Not visible from the Canadian side, the "Copeland Cut" is located in the "Wiley Dondero Canal".

Saltwater vessel BBC OREGON
heading down the Wiley-Dondero Canal

This straight cut between "Cat Island Shoal" and Eisenhower Lock became the modern-day shipping channel in 1959 with the flooding of the Seaway.

The report mentions "Copeland Cut" as "avoid-meeting area".

Originally stumbled upon "Copeland Cut" while reading about the collision between two familiar vessels: CAPT. HENRY JACKMAN (1) and QUEBECOIS (December 17, 2008).

The actual incident between these two vessels occurred in the Beauharnois Canal in Quebec.

TSBC report: http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/marine/2008/m08c0081/m08c0081.html

"Crosscurrents in the Copeland Cut Reach of the Wiley-Dondero Canal make navigation difficult during periods of high flow with accompanying low water levels.

The problem area is located in Lake St. Lawrence approximately 3 miles west of Eisenhower Lock . "

https://hdl.handle.net/11681/10668

The area is also mentioned in the Government of Canada Sailing Guide from Montreal to Kingston.

"Currents, Wiley-Dondero Canal – Crosscurrents with velocities to 2 knots have been reported in the WileyDondero Canal. These currents set NE along the lower end of the Long Sault Islands and ESE at the upper end of the islands."
https://www.charts.gc.ca/documents/publications/download/SD/CEN301Eng.pdf