Massena Canal facts for kids

The Massena Power Canal was a special waterway built in Massena, New York. It connected the Saint Lawrence River to the lower Grass River. This canal helped create electricity for the local area for many years.

What is the Massena Power Canal?

The Massena Power Canal is a man-made channel of water. It was designed to move water from one river to another. This movement of water could then be used to generate power. The canal is located in Massena, New York, which is in St. Lawrence County.

Why was the canal built?

Back in 1833, people wanted to build a canal to help boats travel more easily. There were some difficult rapids, or fast-moving parts, on the St. Lawrence River. These rapids made it hard for ships to pass. The idea was to link the Grass River to the St. Lawrence River, bypassing these tricky spots.

However, another canal, the Cornwall Canal, was built on the Canadian side of the river first. This canal was finished in 1843. Because of this, the Massena Canal project was put on hold for a long time.

The idea for the Massena Canal came back at the end of the 1800s. This time, the main goal was not just for boats. It was to use the water's power to make electricity. The canal was finally finished in 1898.

How did the canal generate power?

In the early 1900s, a large building called a powerhouse was constructed. This powerhouse used the flowing water from the canal to create hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power is a clean way to make electricity using the force of moving water. This power was very important for the community of Massena.

When did the canal close?

The Massena Power Canal stopped operating in 1958. This happened because of a much larger project on the St. Lawrence River. This new project included the Eisenhower locks system and the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. These new structures were built to improve shipping and create even more electricity for a wider area. With these new, bigger systems in place, the Massena Power Canal was no longer needed.