Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2013.
The Miraflores Locks are the first locks on the Pacific side of the canal. In the above photo, southbound vessels occupy both the west and east lanes at Miraflores Locks, where they are being lowered 16.5 meters from the level of Miraflores Lake to the sea level of the Pacific Ocean. On the side of the locks are electric locomotives that tow ships through the locks.