The Lehigh Canal was built to facilitate transporting anthracite coal to eastern markets. It went just to Easton, PA, on the Delaware River because from there other canals connected to New York and Philadelphia. Before navigation was improved along the Lehigh River, it was cheaper to ship bituminous coal from England than anthracite coal from the Lehigh Valley. "The Lehigh Navigation project began in 1827 and was completed in 1829. The canal was 60 feet wide at the top and 45 feet wide at the bottom and was 5 feet deep. There were a total of 48 lift locks over the Lehigh Navigation’s 46-mile route from Mauch Chunk (presently Jim Thorpe) to Easton. Ten miles of this route was made up of slack water pools (Hugh Moore Historical Park and Museums)." [lehigh_canal]
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