The Panama Canal has begun to fill the Cocoli's locks, on the Pacific side, following a similar and successful endeavor on the Atlantic side earlier this month.
This step marks the start of a deliberate and methodical phase of compliance and operational testing for the project.
Filling Process
The intricate filling process will make use of powerful electric and diesel pumps, designed specifically for the job. The electric pumps are expected to provide 30,000 gallons of water per minute each, while an added network of thirteen diesel pumps will work to pump 7000 gallons of water per minute each, filling the lower chamber at a rate of nine inches per hour.
Among their features, each lock complex includes three chambers, nine water-saving basins with a filling and emptying side system and rolling gates. The filling and subsequent testing of the new Pacific locks is expected to take approximately ninety days to complete. As of the end of May, the overall Expansion Program of the Panama Canal stood at 89.8 percent complete.
Photo Courtesy of Panama Canal Authority (ACP).
