Coteau-du-Lac canal, Military canal and archaeological site in Coteau-du-Lac, Canada
The Coteau-du-Lac canal is a water transportation system with three locks that overcome a water level change of about two meters along the Saint Lawrence River. The locks allowed boats to navigate past a difficult water cascade and travel upriver.
The canal was built between 1779 and 1781 under Captain William Twiss's direction and was North America's first lock canal system. The project served the British military to transport goods and troops more efficiently across the river.
Indigenous peoples used and inhabited this location for thousands of years, as evidenced by pottery fragments and carved stones discovered during excavations. These findings tell the story of a long human presence along the river.
The site is located about 40 kilometers southwest of Montreal and is easily accessible by car. A reconstructed blockhouse from 1813 and various military artifacts on display help you understand the canal's original purpose and military significance.
The locks were entirely blasted and dug through solid rock, an enormous undertaking carried out by soldiers of a royal unit. This level of engineering achievement was remarkable for the time and location.
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