Augusta Canal

The swirling, rapid waters of the Savannah River on one side contrast sharply with the mellow, peaceful canal on the other as you bike, hike, fish or canoe in this National Heritage Area.

Markers along picnic and fishing areas trace the canal's history, from its concept in the 1700s by British Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe. At the canal's source is the Bull Sluice, where Indians and animals for centuries had crossed the river's rocks during low-water periods. It was at this fording point that Europeans would trade with the Indians for furs. In the mid-1800s, Col. Henry H. Cumming hired engineers to plot a canal from Bull Sluice to Beaver Dam Creek near downtown Augusta. The intent was to provide better access for the barges of cotton and other produce coming from the west. The canal also would furnish power for industry and bring water to Augusta that could be used for drinking, keeping down the dust and dousing fires.

The first water flowed down the canal from its new headgates and lock on Nov. 23, 1846. At first, the canal was seven miles long, but second and third levels completed in 1848 extended its length to nine miles. In the 1850s, the banks were raised to increase the canal's depth from five to seven feet, and two decades later, an enlargement left the canal basically as it is today -- 9 miles long, 11 feet deep, 150 feet wide at the surface and 106 feet wide at the bottom.

Today, the canal offers an excellent canoeing environment and is viewed as a prime place to teach youngsters how to fish. But it's used just as widely by hikers and bikers alike, with the towpath that once was used by mules to pull barges offering a level route that allows the user to get close with the fauna and flora of east central Georgia.

The canal's nice and accessible, too. Several parking areas and canoe put-ins are available along the route.

Visiting bicyclists will find some options if they want to traverse the canal. They can rent a bicycle from Outspokin' Bicycles, 1904 Walton Way, and ride the canal from the downtown area west toward the head gates at Bull Sluice and the Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Columbia County. Or, they can rent a bike from Chain Reaction near the Pavilion and head to the east.

For more information, call (706) 823-0440 or visit the website.

Provided by: Best Read Guide