Pennsylvania Canal (West Branch Division)

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Main Line of Public Works and large Pennsylvania rivers including the West Branch Susquehanna
Main Line of Public Works and large Pennsylvania rivers including the West Branch Susquehanna

The West Branch Division of the Pennsylvania Canal ran 73 miles (117 km) from the canal basin at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, at the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River with the main stem of the Susquehanna River, north through Muncy, then west through Williamsport, Jersey Shore, and Lock Haven to its terminus in Farrandsville. Between Northumberland and Muncy, the canal lay east of the river. Beyond Muncy, where the river makes a right-angle turn, the canal lay to the north. Started in 1828 and completed in 1835, it had 19 locks overcoming a total vertical rise of about 140 feet (43 m).[1]

At its southern terminus in the Northumberland basin, the West Branch Canal met the North Branch Canal and the Susquehanna Division Canal. Through these connections to other divisions of the Pennsylvania Canal, it formed part of a multi-state water transportation system including the Main Line of Public Works.

The state intended to extend the West Branch Canal from Farrandsville further upstream along the West Branch Susquehanna River to the mouth of Sinnemahoning Creek. Plans called for 33 miles (53 km) of canal with 17 locks, 2 dams, 5 aqueducts, 19 culverts, and 30 bridges. Construction began in 1838,[2] but the line was never completed.[3]

[edit] Extensions

Pennsylvania Canal (West Branch Division) Marker from Lycoming Creek, circa 1834
Pennsylvania Canal (West Branch Division) Marker from Lycoming Creek, circa 1834

Additions to the West Branch Canal included the Bald Eagle Cut, built 4 miles (6.4 km) through Lock Haven and Flemington along Bald Eagle Creek. Connecting to the Bald Eagle Cut at Flemington, a privately-financed addition called the Bald Eagle and Spring Creek Navigation extended the canal system another 22 miles (35 km) to Bellefonte along Bald Eagle Creek.

In 1833, the state added a 0.75 miles (1.21 km) canal, the Lewisburg Cut, to connect the town of Lewisburg, 11 miles (18 km) north of Northumberland, to the system. The privately-financed Muncy Cut, also only 0.75 miles (1.21 km) long, added a branch canal into Muncy, 20 miles (32 km) north of Northumberland.[1]

[edit] Remnants

Remnants of the canal exist along the West Branch Susquehanna River between Northumberland and Lock Haven. Canal walls made of stone still stand near Muncy, while other canal and lock remnants are preserved near Lock Haven.[4] Archaeological work and restoration began in 2005 at the Muncy Canal Heritage Park and Nature Trail, 11 acres (4.5 ha) including remains of a towpath, a lock, a canal wall, and a lock tender's house.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Shank, William H. (1986). The Amazing Pennsylvania Canals, 150th Anniversary Edition. York, Pennsylvania: American Canal and Transportation Center. ISBN 0-933788-37-1. 
  2. ^ von Gerstner, Franz Anton Ritter (1997). Early American Railroads. Stanford University Press. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  3. ^ Davis, M.D., Sidney (1996). "The West Branch Canal". . Northumberland County Historical Society
  4. ^ Lower West Branch Susquehanna Conservation Plan (pdf). Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
  5. ^ Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail. Muncy Historical Society and Museum of History. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.

Articles about people, places and things associated with the West Branch Susquehanna River and Valley region of Pennsylvania.

The main article for this category is West Branch Susquehanna River.