C and O Canal Lock 46
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
C and O Canal Lock 46
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Lock number 46 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal near Clear Springs, Maryland.
Solid rock cliff walls follow the Potomac River between Lock 41 and Lock 45 / Dam 5, making it impossible for a water channel to be cut through this area. It was decided to use the Potomac River instead of trying to build a canal between these two locks. The canal boats still needed to be towed, and space allowance was made for the mules. The towpath along the river is a concrete path that follows the cliff walls. After the canal boat reentered the canal at Lock 45, about 300 yards downstream from where I am now, the mules needed a spot to switch over from the river towpath to the canal towpath.
The stone ramps on either side of the canal at Lock 46 were abutments for a bridge, and the arch on the left side of the bridge was part of the sluice. This bridge was where the mules crossed over from the river towpath to the canal towpath.
Copyright 2024 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
January 29th, 2024
Embed
Share
Similar Images
Recently Viewed
