Shubenacadie Canal
Encyclopedia
The Shubenacadie Canal is a Canadian
canal in central Nova Scotia
, linking Halifax Harbour
with Shubenacadie Grand Lake
which drains into the Bay of Fundy
by way of the Shubenacadie River
. Currently small craft use the river and lakes, but no locks are fully operational. Some restoration has been done, and more is planned.
, and the agricultural, timber and coal producing areas of northern Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Valley
. Construction was started in 1826 by the Shubenacadie Canal Co. which went bankrupt in 1831. Several Scottish
and Irish
stonemasons had immigrated to Nova Scotia to work on the project but were left stranded in the colony with little resources after the project had halted. Construction started again in 1854 under the Inland Navigation Co. but also suffered from financial difficulties, despite completing the canal in 1861. The canal company showed little profit and experienced many problems relating to frigid winters which damaged the locks linking the freshwater lakes.
The canal's ongoing construction delays were partly responsible for the 1851 decision by Nova Scotia's colonial government to build the Nova Scotia Railway
, which built lines from Halifax to Windsor
and Truro
by 1858. The railway effectively ruined the canal system when bridges crossing the canal were built too low for the steamer. See related article on frog war
s.
The community of Maitland, Nova Scotia was part of the Douglas Township until it was named Maitland after Governor General of Nova Scotia Peregrine Maitland
(1828–34), when building the Shubenacadie Canal
was first attempted (1826–1831). The Canal was supposed to start at Maitland, Nova Scotia and run through the province to Maitland Street, Dartmouth, the canal being "bookended" by two "Maitland" landmarks.
The canal connected the following waters, running north from Halifax Harbour at Dartmouth Cove:
In recent decades, citizens of Dartmouth
sought to restore portions of the canal's portage route between the lakes running from Halifax Harbour to Shubenacadie Grand Lake for pleasure boaters. Highway construction, notably low bridges crossing the Lake Banook-Lake Micmac connection (Highway 111
) and Lake Thomas (Highway 102
) resulted in blocking the historic canal route to larger vessels, although canoes and small pleasure boats may still pass underneath.
The Shubenacadie Canal Commission was established to stabilize the deterioration of the remaining locks and attempt to restore some of them to working order. An interpretive site for the canal is located in the Fairbanks Centre in Dartmouth's Shubie Park
, along the shores of Lake Micmac. Located next to one of the restored operational locks, the Fairbanks Centre features a scale model of canal lock mechanisms.
Some areas along the Shubenacadie Canal are popular outdoor recreation areas for the Halifax Regional Municipality, including:
The Trans-Canada Trail is currently being planned to run alongside part of the canal.
mall project construction site and into the canal. After heavy hurricane season rains run-off from the construction overflowed containment ponds on and began running into the canal, Lake Charles, Lake Micmac and Shubie Park’s Grassy Brook.
Dartmouth Crossing is located on Highway 118 across from Shubie Park
. Measures were taken to mitigate the silt run-off and construction continues on the mall project.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
canal in central Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, linking Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
with Shubenacadie Grand Lake
Shubenacadie Grand Lake
Shubenacadie Grand Lake is a large Canadian lake straddling the Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants county on mainland Nova Scotia.It drains into the Shubenacadie River at its northeastern outlet....
which drains into the Bay of Fundy
Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine...
by way of the Shubenacadie River
Shubenacadie River
The Shubenacadie River is a river in Nova Scotia, Canada.It has a meander length of approximately 72 km from its source at Shubenacadie Grand Lake to its mouth at the historic seaport village of Maitland on Cobequid Bay, site of the building of the William D. Lawrence, the largest wooden ship ever...
. Currently small craft use the river and lakes, but no locks are fully operational. Some restoration has been done, and more is planned.
History
The Shubenacadie Canal was envisioned to facilitate transportation between HalifaxCity of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, and the agricultural, timber and coal producing areas of northern Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Valley
Annapolis Valley
The Annapolis Valley is a valley and region in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is located in the western part of the Nova Scotia peninsula, formed by a trough between two parallel mountain ranges along the shore of the Bay of Fundy.-Geography:...
. Construction was started in 1826 by the Shubenacadie Canal Co. which went bankrupt in 1831. Several Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
stonemasons had immigrated to Nova Scotia to work on the project but were left stranded in the colony with little resources after the project had halted. Construction started again in 1854 under the Inland Navigation Co. but also suffered from financial difficulties, despite completing the canal in 1861. The canal company showed little profit and experienced many problems relating to frigid winters which damaged the locks linking the freshwater lakes.
The canal's ongoing construction delays were partly responsible for the 1851 decision by Nova Scotia's colonial government to build the Nova Scotia Railway
Nova Scotia Railway
The Nova Scotia Railway is a historic Canadian railway. It was composed of two lines, one connecting Richmond with Windsor, the other connecting Richmond with Pictou via Truro....
, which built lines from Halifax to Windsor
Windsor, Nova Scotia
Windsor is a town located in Hants County, Mainland Nova Scotia at the junction of the Avon and St. Croix Rivers. It is the largest community in western Hants County with a 2001 population of 3,779 and was at one time the shire town of the county. The region encompassing present day Windsor was...
and Truro
Truro, Nova Scotia
-Education:Truro has one high school, Cobequid Educational Centre. Post-secondary options include a campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, as well as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the neighboring town of Bible Hill.- Sports :...
by 1858. The railway effectively ruined the canal system when bridges crossing the canal were built too low for the steamer. See related article on frog war
Frog war
In American railroading, a frog war occurs when a private railroad company attempts to cross the tracks of another, and this results in hostilities, with the courts usually getting involved, but often long after companies have taken the matter in their own hands and settled, with hordes of workers...
s.
Route
Peregrine Maitland
Sir Peregrine Maitland, KCB, GCB was a British soldier and colonial administrator who played first-class cricket from 1798 to 1808....
(1828–34), when building the Shubenacadie Canal
Shubenacadie Canal
The Shubenacadie Canal is a Canadian canal in central Nova Scotia, linking Halifax Harbour with Shubenacadie Grand Lake which drains into the Bay of Fundy by way of the Shubenacadie River. Currently small craft use the river and lakes, but no locks are fully operational...
was first attempted (1826–1831). The Canal was supposed to start at Maitland, Nova Scotia and run through the province to Maitland Street, Dartmouth, the canal being "bookended" by two "Maitland" landmarks.
The canal connected the following waters, running north from Halifax Harbour at Dartmouth Cove:
- Halifax HarbourHalifax HarbourHalifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
/Dartmouth Cove (DartmouthDartmouth, Nova ScotiaDartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
) - Sullivan's PondSullivan's PondSullivan's Pond is a small artificial lake located in the community of Dartmouth in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.The pond is located a half kilometre northeast of Halifax Harbour at Dartmouth Cove as part of the Shubenacadie Canal system...
- Lake BanookLake BanookLake Banook is a freshwater lake located in Dartmouth within the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is home to three sprint canoe and kayak clubs, two rowing clubs, and has a claim to be the birthplace of ice hockey.-Location:...
- Lake MicmacLake MicmacLake Micmac is a small freshwater lake located in the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada.Located entirely within the community of Dartmouth, Lake Micmac is also known as 'Second Lake' for its position in the Shubenacadie Canal system....
- Lake Charles
- Lake William
- Lake Thomas
- Fletchers Lake
- Shubenacadie Grand LakeShubenacadie Grand LakeShubenacadie Grand Lake is a large Canadian lake straddling the Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants county on mainland Nova Scotia.It drains into the Shubenacadie River at its northeastern outlet....
(Wellington StationWellington Station, Nova ScotiaWellington Station is a community of the Halifax Regional Municipality in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.-References:* *...
to Frenchmans Road) - Shubenacadie RiverShubenacadie RiverThe Shubenacadie River is a river in Nova Scotia, Canada.It has a meander length of approximately 72 km from its source at Shubenacadie Grand Lake to its mouth at the historic seaport village of Maitland on Cobequid Bay, site of the building of the William D. Lawrence, the largest wooden ship ever...
(Frenchmans Road to Maitland) - Bay of FundyBay of FundyThe Bay of Fundy is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine...
/Cobequid BayCobequid BayCobequid Bay is an inlet of the Bay of Fundy and the easternmost part of the Minas Basin, located in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The bay was carved by rivers flowing into the eastern end of the Bay of Fundy....
(Port Maitland)
Present use
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
sought to restore portions of the canal's portage route between the lakes running from Halifax Harbour to Shubenacadie Grand Lake for pleasure boaters. Highway construction, notably low bridges crossing the Lake Banook-Lake Micmac connection (Highway 111
Nova Scotia Highway 111
Highway 111 is a 13-kilometre controlled access freeway in Nova Scotia, Canada.Highway 111 varies from 4-12 lanes and is known informally as the Dartmouth "Circumferential Highway", or, more recently, "The Circ", since it is a partial orbital road. The highway runs from Pleasant Street in the...
) and Lake Thomas (Highway 102
Nova Scotia Highway 102
Highway 102 is a north-south freeway in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia that runs from Halifax to Truro. It is the busiest highway in Atlantic Canada....
) resulted in blocking the historic canal route to larger vessels, although canoes and small pleasure boats may still pass underneath.
The Shubenacadie Canal Commission was established to stabilize the deterioration of the remaining locks and attempt to restore some of them to working order. An interpretive site for the canal is located in the Fairbanks Centre in Dartmouth's Shubie Park
Shubie Park
Shubie Park is a urban park in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia maintained by the Halifax Regional Municipality.Heavily forested, Shubie Park is roughly linear in shape as it is bounded on the north and west by Highway 118 expressway and on the south and east by Lake Micmac and the southern edge of Lake...
, along the shores of Lake Micmac. Located next to one of the restored operational locks, the Fairbanks Centre features a scale model of canal lock mechanisms.
Some areas along the Shubenacadie Canal are popular outdoor recreation areas for the Halifax Regional Municipality, including:
- Lake Banook's competitive paddling course
- Lake Banook's Birch Cove Beach
- Shubie Park's Dartmouth Multi-use Trail
- Laurie Provincial Park on the shore of Shubenacadie Grand Lake
- Oakfield Provincial Park on the shore of Shubenacadie Grand Lake
The Trans-Canada Trail is currently being planned to run alongside part of the canal.
Dartmouth Crossings silt run-off
Environmentalists and residents became concerned in 2005 when it was discovered that large amounts of silt was flowing off the Dartmouth CrossingDartmouth Crossing
Dartmouth Crossing is a commercial real estate development currently under construction in Dartmouth, a part of Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada.-Background:...
mall project construction site and into the canal. After heavy hurricane season rains run-off from the construction overflowed containment ponds on and began running into the canal, Lake Charles, Lake Micmac and Shubie Park’s Grassy Brook.
Dartmouth Crossing is located on Highway 118 across from Shubie Park
Shubie Park
Shubie Park is a urban park in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia maintained by the Halifax Regional Municipality.Heavily forested, Shubie Park is roughly linear in shape as it is bounded on the north and west by Highway 118 expressway and on the south and east by Lake Micmac and the southern edge of Lake...
. Measures were taken to mitigate the silt run-off and construction continues on the mall project.
See also
- Port Wallace, Nova ScotiaPort Wallace, Nova ScotiaPort Wallace is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.It is located on the northeastern edge of the former city of Dartmouth and lies mid-way between Lake Micmac and Lake Charles....
, community named after the president of the Shubenacadie Canal Company