About the Erie Canal

1
About the Erie Canal Mr. Frerichs
2
What is a Canal?
A canal is an artificial waterway for navigation.


From the Library of Congress, American Memory
3
Why Build Canals?
Water is one of the cheapest ways to transport
goods.


4
Why Build Canals?
Transport Options, Early 1800s



From Martland, Carl D. Example of the Ability of
Civil Engineering Projects to Shape Cities and
Channel DevelopmentRoads, Canals, and Railroads
in the Early 19th Century MIT, Spring
2005 http//ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Civil-and-Env
ironmental-Engineering/1-011Spring-2005/5B684A1B-4
A5A-4419-AB9C-6347D6CD1AD4/0/p_eval04_l2_19cn.pdf
5
Why Build Canals?

• Water is one of the cheapest ways to transport
  goods.
• BUT - you need the waterway!
• High volume of goods so long as speed is not a
  great factor
• Boats were pulled by horses.
• Food can be delivered to cities
• Cities can become trade centers

6
Section I History Background
History Background
7
History Background
Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo,
1817-1825 First proposed in 1724 discussed
widely in late 1700s and early 1800s Thomas
Jefferson "A splendid project - for the 20th
century. Why did they need a canal?

8
History Background
Erie Canal, 1817-1825 Easiest way to cross
Appalachian Mountains

9
Erie Canal
Albany
Hudson River
Buffalo

10
History Background
Erie Canal 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo (cost
8 million to build) Click below to see map.

Click to see map
11
History Background

• The Erie Canal was hand-dug to connect the
  Hudson River with the Niagara River.
• The 363-mile canal had to overcome the 571-foot
  difference in elevation between the rivers.
• Problem How could you make the canal go uphill?

12
History Background

• You used locks to allow boats to overcome the
  change in elevation..

13
History Background

• The opening of the last lock on the canal was
  celebrated on October 26, 1825 with a grand
  procession.

From the Library of Congress, American Memory
14
History Background

• With growing competition from railroads and
  highways, and the opening of the St. Lawrence
  Seaway in 1959, commercial traffic on the Canal
  System declined dramatically in the latter part
  of the 20th century.