Savannah Rapids Park, Augusta Canal, Columbia County, GA
**Augusta Canal Industrial District** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 71000285, date listed 5/27/1971
Along the west bank of the Savannah River from the Richmond-Columbia county line to 10th and Fenwick Sts.
GA (Columbia County)
A National Historic Landmark (www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/list-of-nh...).
The Augusta Canal is a nine-mile power and water-supply canal paralleling the Georgia banks of the Savannah River. Approximately half of its course is through wilderness, which may become a park, and the remainder passes through and provides interest for downtown Augusta. It originates at a Lock and Dam, stretches past Lake Olmstead, and then winds through downtown Augusta before rejoining the Savannah River. From the point of origin, its overall fall is 45 feet divided among three levels.
Originally the Canal was five feet deep, 20 feet wide at the bottom and 40 feet at surface. A low dam (800 feet in length) made of timber and stone turned water into the Canal. The water flow was regulated by a stone guard-wall containing six gates. Boats passed into the Canal through a stone located at the juncture of the dam and guard-wall. Water was let into the first level on November 23, 1846.
The history of the Augusta Canal and the history of Augusta are closely linked. Augusta, located along the Fall Line, was established in 1735 and prospered due to the income available from Savannah River trading traffic. However, with the coming of the railroads in the 1830's, river traffic began to dwindle and a few public-minded citizens feared for Augusta's future. Col Henry H. Cumming, a leading attorney and citizen, studied ways to use Savannah River water power and along with several Augusta banks and citizens urged the construction of a canal to provide power for factories and a plentiful supply of water for the city. Surveying was begun in 1844 and by November 23, 1846, water was flooded into the first level. (1)
References (1) NRHP Nomination Form s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg...
Savannah Rapids Park, Augusta Canal, Columbia County, GA
**Augusta Canal Industrial District** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 71000285, date listed 5/27/1971
Along the west bank of the Savannah River from the Richmond-Columbia county line to 10th and Fenwick Sts.
GA (Columbia County)
A National Historic Landmark (www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/list-of-nh...).
The Augusta Canal is a nine-mile power and water-supply canal paralleling the Georgia banks of the Savannah River. Approximately half of its course is through wilderness, which may become a park, and the remainder passes through and provides interest for downtown Augusta. It originates at a Lock and Dam, stretches past Lake Olmstead, and then winds through downtown Augusta before rejoining the Savannah River. From the point of origin, its overall fall is 45 feet divided among three levels.
Originally the Canal was five feet deep, 20 feet wide at the bottom and 40 feet at surface. A low dam (800 feet in length) made of timber and stone turned water into the Canal. The water flow was regulated by a stone guard-wall containing six gates. Boats passed into the Canal through a stone located at the juncture of the dam and guard-wall. Water was let into the first level on November 23, 1846.
The history of the Augusta Canal and the history of Augusta are closely linked. Augusta, located along the Fall Line, was established in 1735 and prospered due to the income available from Savannah River trading traffic. However, with the coming of the railroads in the 1830's, river traffic began to dwindle and a few public-minded citizens feared for Augusta's future. Col Henry H. Cumming, a leading attorney and citizen, studied ways to use Savannah River water power and along with several Augusta banks and citizens urged the construction of a canal to provide power for factories and a plentiful supply of water for the city. Surveying was begun in 1844 and by November 23, 1846, water was flooded into the first level. (1)
References (1) NRHP Nomination Form s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg...