The southern, Lake Erie terminus of the canal is higher than the northern terminus on Lake Ontario. The canal includes eight ship locks. Seven of the locks (Locks 1–7, the 'Lift' locks) are long and raise (or lower) passing ships by between each. The southernmost lock, (Lock 8 – the 'Guard' or 'Control' lock) is in length. The Garden City Skyway passes over the canal, restricting the maximum height of the masts of the ships allowed on this canal to .