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Britannica Sources used in this answer

How wide and deep was the original Erie Canal?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map showing the route of the Erie Canal across New York state, running from Buffalo on Lake Erie in the west through cities including Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Albany, and ending at the Hudson River near Troy and Cohoes. The map also highlights nearby lakes, connecting canals, and major waterways in the region.
Erie Canal

The original Erie Canal featured a typical prism shape with the following dimensions:

  • Width at the top: 12 meters (40 feet)
  • Width at the bottom: 8.5 meters (28 feet)
  • Depth: 1.2 meters (4 feet)

These specifications were established during the canal's initial construction, which took place between 1817 and 1825.1