Erie Canal

the largest artificial waterway in the United States, serving to connect the great lakes with the sea. It begins at Buffalo on Lake Hrie, and extends to the Hudson at Albany. It is 387 miles long; has in all 72 locks; a surface width of 70 feet, bottom width of 42 feet, and depth of 7 feet. It is carried over several large streams on stone aqueducts; was opened in 1825; and up to 1901 had cost for construction, a, and maintenance $52,- 340,800. In November, 1903, the people of New York vote on the question o£ the enlargement of the canal to iccommodate one-you sand-ton barges.