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Lehigh River above RT. 145 Bridge

40 43' 78 N
75 32' 47 W

The canal system was built along the Lehigh River to allow canal boats to navigate from Jim Thorpe to Easton as easily as possible. Some sections of the river were passable by canal boat. Therefore, the canal was built only in areas where the river was impassable. The canal system contains a series of entrance and exit locks in and out of the river.

The section of river upstream of the Route 145 Bridge is a good example of the entrance and exit lock system. Lock 27 in Lockport allowed canal boats to leave the canal and enter the river. The boats were still pulled by mules along the towpath, but the river was calm enough that a canal was not necessary. Just above the Route 145 Bridge, the canal begins again at Dam 4. This was an entrance dam, allowing passage into the canal and around the unnavigable waters of the river.

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Headwaters to Lehigh Gorge | Jim Thorpe to Walnutport | Triechler's to Allentown | Bethlehem to Easton

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