Chambly Canal: Difference between revisions

The [[Chambly_Canal|Chambly Canal]] along a part of the upper Richelieu River helps connect the St. Lawrence River in [[Quebec]] to Lake Champlain in [[Vermont]] and [[New York]]. The canal and its locks allowed boats to bypass the Richelieu River rapids near Chambly and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Work began on this canal in 1831 and was completed in 1843. The canal from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to Chambly is 12 miles (19 km) long.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Chambly Canal" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chambly_Canal (accessed 7 June 2011).</ref>  

The Richelieu River in [[Quebec]] flows north from Lake Champlain near the United States border about 106 miles (171 km) to Sorel-Tracy where it joins the St. Lawrence River.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Richelieu River" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richelieu_River (accessed 8 June 2011).</ref>  

Indians and French settlers used the Richelieu River and recognzed its strategic military importance. A series of forts were built in the 1600s and 1700s to help defend it.<ref name="waterway">Parks Canada, "Waterway History," ''Chambly Canal National Historic Site Canada'' at http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/chambly/natcul/natcul2/natcul2a.aspx (8 June 2011).</ref>  

The '''Chambly Canal''' was part of a network of canals, lakes and rivers connecting New York City to the St. Lawrence River. Freight such as lumber and coal could be shipped from the St. Lawrence River, up the Richelieu River and Chambly Canal to Lake Champlain, and down the [[Champlain Canal]] to the Hudson River to New York City. The Hudson River is also connected to the [[Erie Canal]]. The Chambly Canal was an important part of increasing Canadian-American trade into the 20th Century. After World War I (1914-1918) freight traffic declined, but has partially been replaced since with tourist pleasure cruises.<ref name="waterway" />