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Potowmack Canal and Locks
Society: ASCEMain Category: CivilSub Category: Water TransportationEra: 1750-1799DateCreated: 1799Great Falls ParkFairfax CountyState: VACountry: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/Project/Potowmack-Canal-and-Locks/Creator: Washington, George, Potowmack Canal Company

These canals and locks are a part of the first extensive system of canal and river navigation works undertaken in the United States. The idea for the canal was proposed by George Washington, when, as an engineer, surveyor and military emissary for Virginia, he saw the need for a trade route west beyond the Allegheny Mountains. In order to do create this route, it was necessary to try to tame the Potomac River which was a wild, unruly stream which only the hardiest of rivermen ever attempted.

YearAdded:
1970
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Rudi Riet (CC BY-SA 2.0)Image Caption: Potowmack Canal and LocksEra_date_from: 1799
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Potowmack Canal and Locks

These canals and locks are a part of the first extensive system of canal and river navigation works undertaken in the United States. The idea for the canal was proposed by George Washington, when, as an engineer, surveyor and military emissary for Virginia, he saw the need for a trade route west…

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