The Erie Canal, which linked the waters of Lake Erie and the Hudson River, was completed in 1825.
When construction began in 1817, nine years after the idea circulated, the groundbreaking ceremony did not raise much interest. It was not until the major digging and earthmoving equipment started to work that the public began to realize that the canal was a construction marvel of its day.
Only four feet deep and 40 feet wide at the time, the canal could buoy up 30 tons of freight. It was enlarged over time as the demand for water transportation grew — first widened to 70 feet, then later to between 120 and 200 feet. The canal also was dug more deeply to accommodate larger boats.
Even though it was only 12 to 14 feet deep, the canal could hold barges of more than 3,000 tons. The canal's use was diminished by competition from the less expensive railroad, and is used mainly by recreational boaters today.
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Erie Canal ... in canals within Ohio, most notably the Ohio and Erie Canal and the Miami and Erie Canal, both of which connected Lake Erie with the Ohio River. Ohio Historical Society, 2005, "Erie Canal", Ohio History Central: An Online EncyclopeErie Canal and the Miami and Erie Canal, both of which connected Lake Erie with the Ohio River. Ohio Historical Society, 2005, "Erie Canal", Ohio History Central: An Online EncyclopeErie Canal, both of which connected Lake Erie with the Ohio River. Ohio Historical Society, 2005, "Erie Canal", Ohio History Central: An Online EncyclopeErie Canal", Ohio History Central: An Online Encyclopedia of ... http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2158
Traveling the Erie Canal, 1836 How To Cite This Article: "Traveling the Erie Canal, 1836", EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2004). The original canal was 363 miles long, 40 feet wide and four feet deep. It has been enlarged and expanded twice. Today,Erie Canal, 1836", EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2004). The original canal was 363 miles long, 40 feet wide and four feet deep. It has been enlarged and expanded twice. Today, it is ... http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pferiecanal.htm
The Erie Canal and De Witt Clinton Lockport on the Erie Canal The building of the Erie Canal continued for eight years. As Clinton's political fortunes rose and fell, so did the popularity of the canal project. Often known as "Clinton's Ditch" and "Clinton's Folly", the canErie Canal The building of the Erie Canal continued for eight years. As Clinton's political fortunes rose and fell, so did the popularity of the canal project. Often known as "Clinton's Ditch" and "Clinton's Folly", the canErie Canal continued for eight years. As Clinton's political fortunes rose and fell, so did the popularity of the canal project. Often known as "Clinton's Ditch" and "Clinton's Folly", the canal and ... http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/transport/erie.html
