John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints


Canals in the USA and Canada

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia

There is a restored canal lock exhibit at the James River crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, the canal is no longer in use. Displays at the Visitor Centre here explain the history of the canal.

Cape Cod Canal

The Cape Cod Canal forms part of the Atlantic section of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, District of Columbia, Maryland and West Virginia

This Park runs alongside the northern bank of the Potomac River for about 185 miles between Washington DC and Cumberland Maryland. It contains the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The canal was originally intended to run from Chesapeake Bay to join the Ohio River at Pittsburgh but constructed ceased when it reached Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I don't think the canal is still in use.

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

The nineteen mile long Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, navigable by ocean-going vessels, links Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River. It forms part of the Atlantic section of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Desert Southwest

Many irrigation canals and aqueducts were built by ancient Native American peoples, including the Pima, in the Desert Southwest of the USA.

Erie Canal

The Erie Canal connects Lake Erie and the Hudson River. It passes through the city of Buffalo, New York State and connects with the Hudson River near Albany. It was originally 363 miles long and had 82 locks. The creation of the canal had a significant positive effect on the development of New York City and those areas of New York State through which it passes.

Illinois Waterway, Illinois

The Illinois Waterway connects Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. The Waterway comprises the Chicago River, the Des Plaines River, the Illinois River and some canals including the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

Intracoastal Waterway

The Atlantic section of the Intracoastal Waterway includes the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and the Cape Cod Canal.

Imperial Valley, California

Imperial Valley, part of the Colorado Desert, has been turned into a highly fertile area by means of irrigation canals transporting water from the Colorado River.

Lake Champlain, New York State

Lake Champlain is connected to the Hudson River by the Champlain Canal, which is part of the New York State Barge Canal system.

Lake Champlain also connected with the Saint Lawrence River in the Province of Québec by the Richelieu River and the Chambly Canal.

Rideau Canal, Ontario

The Rideau Canal, approximately 125 miles long, connects Lake Ontario at Kingston to the Ottawa River at Ottawa. It is now used mainly for recreational purposes.

Sault Sainte Marie Canals, Michigan and Ontario

The Sault Sainte Marie Canals, often called the Soo Canals, provide a means of navigation between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. I do not know if these canals are in Michigan, Ontario, or both.

Trent Canal System, Ontario

The Trent Canal System connects Georgian Bay (part of Lake Huron) and Lake Ontario.

Welland Ship Canal, Ontario

The Welland Ship Canal parallels the Niagara River, providing a means for shipping to navigate between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, a route which otherwise be impossible due to Niagara Falls. The canal is about 28 miles long.

United States Army Corps of Engineers

Many canals were constructed and are maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which is also responsible for many other major civil engineering works such as dams and their associated locks.
Canals, Islands, Lakes, Rivers and Waterfalls

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Most recently modified 20-Aug-04