South Hadley Canal
Walk north along Canal Street a bit more. There is a concrete block that had a metallic map of the canal system on its top. Follow the trail north into the woods. (LOCATION) The canal is at the end of this path. Finally you can see remnants of the South Hadley Canal. You can see Cove Island out in the water.
Walk farther down the path and you will find another information stop. This one explains the Incline Plane and the lock system. The canal is about half way through its 2.5 miles length. You can keep walking along the tow path for a half mile or so. There is even a path on the other side that you can walk on.
Canal boat were flat bottomed boats that held the cargo ships on their tops. Men or horses would pull the boats up or down this navigational canal. Pilots on calm days would navigate the canal/ The captain of a boat was not allowed to navigate the canal themselves but rather were required to have the canal pilot do it. From the end of the central part of the canal it is another mile to the northern start of the South Hadley Canal. To get there drive north on Canal Street and take a right onto West Summit Drive. Then take a left onto North Main Street. Take the first left onto River Road. Drive for about a mile until you reach the Locktender’s House at 315 River Road.
This for use by the locktender of the canal. Here were two more locks that raised the boats to the height of the canal water.
