Industrial Canal, Navigation canal in Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans, US
The Industrial Canal runs from Lake Pontchartrain to the Mississippi River and connects two major water routes. The waterway operates through a system of bridges and a navigation lock that manages ship traffic.
The canal was built after World War I to create a new connection between the lake and river. Work began in 1918 as maritime traffic patterns shifted with new trade routes.
The canal separates the Lower 9th Ward from surrounding neighborhoods and created communities deeply tied to shipping and maritime work. You can see this connection to working life in the old warehouses and boat houses that line the water.
The canal is deep enough for large cargo ships that pass regularly and are visible at work. You can walk along the banks to watch activity on the water or take photos from the bridges that cross it.
A network of wells runs along the canal to manage underground water pressure and protect the banks. These wells work particularly hard during floods and help prevent damage to structures surrounding the waterway.
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