Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is a 14-mile (22 km) waterway that links the Delaware River to Chesapeake Bay through a 450-foot (137 m) wide passage. The channel has been dredged to maintain sufficient depth for large commercial vessels to pass through safely.

Construction began in 1804 under engineer Benjamin Latrobe and was completed in 1829 after extensive earthwork and dredging. This project represented a major engineering achievement during the early industrial period.

The canal museum at Chesapeake City displays original steam engines and exhibits showing how maritime transportation evolved in the region. You can walk through displays that reveal the technological changes that shaped shipping over time.

Modern vessels require certified pilots to navigate through the passage safely. Planning your visit around commercial shipping schedules helps you observe the water traffic in action.

This waterway cuts roughly 300 miles off the sailing distance between Baltimore and Philadelphia. This shortcut makes it a crucial link in the Atlantic Intracoastal system for ships traveling the East Coast.

Location: Delaware

Part of: Intracoastal Waterway

Website: https://nap.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Chesapeake-Delaware-Canal

GPS coordinates: 39.54444,-75.72056

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:26