703/704

Visits the

Shubenacadie Canal

What is the Shubenacadie Canal ?

• the largest watershed in Nova Scotia

• goes from Halifax Harbour to the Bay of Fundy

• it includes 7 lakes - Lake Banook, Lake MicMac, Lake Charles, Lake William, Lake Thomas, Fletchers Lake, and Grand Lake.

History of Canal

started construction in 1826.

stopped construction in 1831 because of lack of money.

restarted in 1854.

opened for use in 1861.

canal lands were sold in 1870 after low railway bridges were built, making it impossible for boats to get through.

Dr. Vivien Srivastava, a Shubenacadie Canal Commissioner shares her knowledge of the canal.

Sullivan’s Pond

This is an example of a holding pond where boats waited for their turn to go through the lock.

These stone beacons acted as markers to enter the lock.

Lock #1 Lake Banook

Here, Team 703/704 is viewing Lock #3at Port Wallace.(see the Fairbanks Centerin the background )

Gate of Lock #3

This is an example of mitered doors. These doors are always pointed upstream so as the pressure of water keeps them closed.

View from downstream

Stonework

This represents the British model ofstonework used in building locks. It uses granite rock.This type of lock construction did not withstand our harsh winter climate.

The American Stonework

This way of building lasts longer in ourclimate. It involves rocks found locally and large vertical timbers.The wood prevented the boats from being scratched.

Lock #3

Hurricane Juan has made some changes to the scenery of the canal, but fortunately the locks were not harmed.

Walkway Along The Deep Cut

Here the canal was cut out of the bedrock to allow boats to pass from Lock #3 into Lake Charles .

Lake Charles is the highest pointof elevation on the Shubenacadie Canal System. From here, the water flowssouth to Halifax Harbour, and north to the Bay of Fundy.

Dam at Porto Bello

The Inclined Plane

The inclined plane carried the boats from Lake Charles to Lake William at Porto Bello. The inclined plane consisted of railway ties going up the hill with a cradle that carried the boat. An inclined plane was also used to get boats from Halifax Harbour to Sullivan’s Pond in Dartmouth.

Lock #4 Fletchers Lake

This is the lock that is nearest to our school.Over the years it has suffered a great deal of damage.

Lock #5 Wellington

Here, tourists can see the Shubenacadie Canal restored to its former look.

Open Gate At Lock #5

Notice the indentation in the wall of the lock which allows the door to open flat so it doesn’t scratch the boats that pass through.

Restored Lock #5

Falling Leaf Gate:This is the other type of gate that is used in lock building,the first one being the mitered doors as shown at Lock #3.

From here , Lock #5leads into Grand lake.

The End

By: Colton,Deni,Jeremy,Julie,and Skye