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. Canal Road Railroad Why Build Canals? Transport Options, Early 1800’s
A wagon could carry 1 ton for 12 miles in one day.
Cost 20 cents to carry 1 ton one mile.
Railroad
A train could carry 500 tons for 200 miles in one day.
Cost 5 cents to carry 1 ton one mile.
Canal
A canal boat could carry 100 tons for 30 miles in one day.
From Martland, Carl D. ”Example of the Ability of Civil Engineering Projects to Shape Cities and Channel Development:Roads, Canals, and Railroads in the Early 19th Century” MIT, Spring 2005

5. Water is one of the cheapest ways to transport goods.
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

7. Why did they need a canal?
History & Background
Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo,
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. Easiest way to cross Appalachian Mountains
History & Background
Erie Canal,
Easiest way to cross Appalachian Mountains

9. Erie Canal
Albany
Hudson River
Buffalo

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

11. Problem: How could you make the canal go uphill?
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.