Smith Canal facts for kids
.jpg)
The Smith Canal is a waterway in Stockton, California. It was once a busy path for barges carrying farm goods. Today, it's a peaceful canal lined with homes. People enjoy boating on its waters. It stretches about 2.4 miles from the San Joaquin River. It used to be longer, reaching El Dorado Street.
History
How the Canal Started
Long ago, the Stockton State Hospital needed a lot of food and supplies. Getting these items to the hospital was hard because the roads weren't very good.
A farmer named Charles Smith owned land nearby. He had an irrigation canal that helped water his fields. He decided to make his canal deeper. This made it wide enough for barges to travel. These barges could carry food and other goods right to the hospital.
For some time, the Smith Canal was very important. It helped the hospital get everything it needed. But then, new train tracks were built by the Union Pacific Railroad. Local roads also got much better. This meant the canal was no longer needed as much for carrying supplies.
Over the years, parts of the canal were filled in. The eastern end of the canal became shorter. Now, it ends at a spot known as Yosemite Lake.
Protecting the Canal
In 2016, there were plans to build a special flood-control gate. This gate would be at the entrance of the canal. The idea was to help protect the area from floods. However, getting permission to build it has been difficult.
In 2017, the levees (raised banks) along the Smith Canal proved very strong. They held up well against big storms. These storms brought strong winds, heavy rain, and high tides. This event made some people wonder if a new gate was truly needed. Many people also enjoy the open view of the canal without a large structure.
Route
The Smith Canal is very straight. It runs east-northeast from the San Joaquin River. It flows between Atherton Island and Louis Park. The canal ends at a turning basin, which is a wide area where boats can turn around. This basin is called Yosemite Lake.
The Smith Canal runs roughly next to the developed part of the San Joaquin River. This part of the river leads to the Port of Stockton. The port is a short distance to the south of the canal.
