Cumberland and Oxford Canal - Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Cumberland and Oxford Canal - Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Cumberland and Oxford Canal was opened in 1832 to connect the largest lakes of southern Maine with the seaport of Portland, Maine. The canal followed the Presumpscot River from Sebago Lake through the towns of Standish, Windham, Gorham, and Westbrook. The Canal diverged from the river at Westbrook to reach the navigable Fore River estuary and Portland Harbor. The canal required 27 locks to reach Sebago Lake at an elevation of above sea level. One additional lock was constructed in the Songo River to provide of additional elevation to reach Long Lake from Sebago Lake. Total navigable distance was approximately from Portland to Harrison at the north end of Long Lake. A proposed extension from Harrison to Bear Pond and Tom Pond in Waterford would have required three more locks on the Bear River, but they were never built.Ward, Ernest E. My First Sixty Years in Harrison, Maine Cardinal Printing 1967 p.7 Read more on Wikipedia
Source: en.wikipedia.org