C & O Canal Towpath National Historical Park Sites and quick facts

C & O Canal towpath sites and facts

It took 35,000 laborers to dig the C and O Canal.

Most of the laborers were of Irish descent and western Europe

The Canal is 184.5 miles long

The standard depth of the canal is 6 feet deep

How wide is the Canal? 60 to 80 feet depending upon the section

The Towpath was  originally 12ft wide, now 7ft in some areas

The change in elevation is  605 feet from the base of the Appalachians to DC

Cycle path along the C & O Canal

Structures along the C & O Canal

It took 74 lift locks to move from sea level in Geogetown to Cumberland

11 Aqueducts were constructed to cross streams and rivers

Monocacy Aqueduct is the longest at 516 feet

The Paw Paw tunnel is 3,118-foot long

Locks are  100 ft long and 14 ft wide and 16 ft deep

Boats of the C & O Canal

A Canal barge's cycle time through a lock was approximately 10 minutes

Canal barges were 90 ft long and 12 feet wide

How much coal did a boat take per trip?  100-120 tons

It took  2 sets of 2 or 3 mules to move the canal boats along

Looking for more information before your cycle tour through the C & O Canal National Park?

C & O Canal Park information

C & Canal Towpath History

C & O Canal towpath surface for biking

Pictures of the C & O Canal Towpath National Park

Take a cycling trip on the C and O Canal

C & O Canal Mile 0

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