Conewago Canal
| Conewago Canal | |
|---|---|
Map of historic Pennsylvania canals and connecting railroads
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| Specifications | |
| Locks | 3 |
| Maximum height above sea level | 384 ft (117 m) (Elevation of York Haven) |
| Status | Abandoned |
| History | |
| Original owner | Francis Thomas |
| Principal engineer | James Brindley, nephew of the James Brindley who built the Duke of Bridgewater's canals in England |
| Construction began | 1793 |
| Date completed | 1797 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | York Haven |
| End point | York Haven |
The Conewago Canal, on the west bank of the Susquehanna River below York Haven, Pennsylvania, 11 miles (18 km) south of Harrisburg in York County, enabled late 18th and early 19th century rivercraft to safely bypass rapids at Conewago Falls. Work on the canal of less than 1 mile (1.6 km) began in 1793 and was completed in 1797. Robert Morris, a Philadelphia financier, organized the project, which was carried out by chief engineer James Brindley, the nephew of a well-known British engineer of the same name. Two lift locks overcame 19 feet (6 m) of elevation between the ends of the canal, and a guard lock blocked unwanted water, particularly during floods. Cargo could go upstream as well as down. A boat going upriver could navigate the canal in 37 minutes compared to the whole day it would take 30 or 40 men to pull it upriver along the bank. York Haven is at 40°06′39″N 76°42′57″W / 40.11083°N 76.71583°WCoordinates: 40°06′39″N 76°42′57″W / 40.11083°N 76.71583°W.
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