Choosing canal routes, soil conditions, establishing canal grade in relationship to surrounding terrain, and creating level canal banks / aqueduct construction to avoid overflowing water were all challenges in the development of the Miami and Erie Canal.
One such embarrassing failure occurred during the grand opening ceremony of the Ohio and Erie Canal in eastern Ohio. Water was to fill the canal from up stream; however, politicians waited for over an hour but only a trickle of water arrived. Later it was found that the water had drained out through some porous soil.
The engineering marvel of the Miami and Erie Canal can be credited to Samuel Forrer who was in charge of surveying and designing the canal*.
(The picture was taken immediately east of Bloody Bridge.)
* Source: http://www.limaohio.com/special/ggg.php#canal
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