While studying the I&M Canal Aqueduct over the Fox River, I discovered this feeder canal on this map. In the upper-right corner, the canal originates at the Fox river. Today's N 2959th Rd reuses the eastern part of the feeder's right-of-way. It looks like there were rapids just downstream for the canal's origin.
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| 1915/15 Ottawa Quad @ 62,500 |
I was surprised to see the feeder canal continue South from the main canal. It was not needed to get rid of flood waters because the aqueduct about a mile to the east could spill excess water directly into the Fox River. Then I saw it labeled a lateral canal on a map. I think that means that it was a spur that was built to encourage more commercial development along the canal in the town. I don't see any locks in the south end of the lateral canal, so the connection to the river must have been to provide a flow in the lateral canal rather than to allow a connection with the river.
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| Digitally Zoomed |
The lateral canal explains why the town has a Canal Street as well as a Canal Avenue. Today's Fulton Street reused the lateral canal's land.
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| 1946/63 Ottawa Quad @ 62,500 |
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