Locking through
Locking through Muskingum River Lock #2 at Devols Dam in Devola Ohio.
Throughout the history of the Northwest Territory and the early years of Ohio statehood, the Muskingum River was not easily navigated. In the spring the river would flood and uncertain currents made travel treacherous. During the summer months the opposite was true. Many times the water levels dropped to the point that river travel became impossible. Residents of southeastern Ohio were looking for a way to utilize the river and thought they had an opportunity when the Ohio legislature began discussion of a canal system for the state. Those people were disappointed when the Ohio and Erie Canal bypassed the Muskingum River. By lobbying the state legislature they were able to convince politicians that improvements on the Muskingum River would lead to improved traffic from the Ohio River into the state.
The new project was known as the Muskingum River Improvement. Construction began in 1836 and was completed in 1841. Improvements consisted of a system of eleven locks and dams that made the Muskingum River navigable from Marietta to a feeder canal south of Dresden Ohio that connected to the Ohio and Erie Canal. Residents were pleased as the river system now encouraged economic opportunity in the region. The Muskingum River had hand operated locks that were designed so a boat could pass through each lock in about fifteen minutes.
Locking through
Locking through Muskingum River Lock #2 at Devols Dam in Devola Ohio.
Throughout the history of the Northwest Territory and the early years of Ohio statehood, the Muskingum River was not easily navigated. In the spring the river would flood and uncertain currents made travel treacherous. During the summer months the opposite was true. Many times the water levels dropped to the point that river travel became impossible. Residents of southeastern Ohio were looking for a way to utilize the river and thought they had an opportunity when the Ohio legislature began discussion of a canal system for the state. Those people were disappointed when the Ohio and Erie Canal bypassed the Muskingum River. By lobbying the state legislature they were able to convince politicians that improvements on the Muskingum River would lead to improved traffic from the Ohio River into the state.
The new project was known as the Muskingum River Improvement. Construction began in 1836 and was completed in 1841. Improvements consisted of a system of eleven locks and dams that made the Muskingum River navigable from Marietta to a feeder canal south of Dresden Ohio that connected to the Ohio and Erie Canal. Residents were pleased as the river system now encouraged economic opportunity in the region. The Muskingum River had hand operated locks that were designed so a boat could pass through each lock in about fifteen minutes.