Why doesn't the Atlantic and Pacific oceans level out at the panama canal?

Question

even if the canal wasn't there why wouldn't they be at the same level?

Answer 1

I actually watched a special on this one. When the canal was built they sectioned it off in steps, so when the ships enter one a gate closes and the water level is risen and so forth through the entire canal.  

Answer 2

I don't know for certain, but I think they approximate the same level, mean sea level.   The issue with the canal is raising and lowering the

ships to utilize the natural body of water in the middle.  The land there is not flat, it rises and falls, and the ships that transverse have to do the same thing.

Answer 3

Without the canal, all the water from the Pacific Ocean would flow into the Atlantic and end up tipping the world on its side. This would change the rotation of the Earth so that we wouldn't have seasons any more. As a result, all of the ice would melt, flood the Earth and put everything but the highest mountains completely under water. This would then tip the Earth back to its original orientation and water would once again fill the Pacific Ocean. After 10,000 years the poles would re-freeze and we'd be right back where we started again.

So just leave it alone.

Answer 4

Could we put a water wheel there and get free power?

Answer 5

No.  

Answer 6

When it is high tide on the east of the Panama canal the tide on the other side it is low tide. The differences in tide levels would make the flow through the canal torrential. The locks adjust for these differences and slow the flow of water.