Canaveral Barge Canal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Canaveral Barge Canal
Barge canal, looking towards the Christa McAuliffe Bridge
Specifications
Locks	1
Maximum height above sea level	3.3 ft (1.0 m)
Status	Open
Navigation authority	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
History
Date of first use	January 1, 1965

The Canaveral Barge Canal provides an east-to-west link between the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Lagoon across northern Merritt Island, Florida, in two segments separated by the Banana River. It is located 15 miles south of Titusville, Florida. The canal is 12 feet deep and has entrances to other water systems including Sykes Creek and various marinas. The canal links Port Canaveral along the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway running down the center of the Indian River Lagoon. The canal was constructed to allow the transport of crude oil by barge to the two power plants south of Titusville, Florida.

List of crossings

Bridge	Route	Location	Coordinates
Christa McAuliffe Bridge (bascule-type drawbridge)	SR 3 / Courtenay Parkway	Merritt Island	28°24′26″N 80°42′24″W
Barge Canal Bridge (bascule-type drawbridge)	SR 401	Merritt Island	28°24′32″N 80°37′55″W

The Barge Canal Bridge is actually three adjacent bridges, each of which includes a bascule draw span.