Stop 3- The Limestone Creek Aqueduct: Crossing Water

GPS- 43.044080, -76.010702

So, now we have a ditch and water and a way to fill it...but what happens when you want to cross the canal over a large body of water? You build an aqueduct. Aqueducts have been around since ancient times. The word literally comes from the Latin meaning "to lead water" and an aqueduct "led" the water across the creek, keeping the waters separate.

Originally, the canal crossed Limestone Creek in a wooden trough that spanned the width of the width of the creek, supported by limestone upright pillars.

Today a much narrower channel of water flows across in a much smaller channel that is passable by by kayaks and canoes on the Rome Level section. It was constructed at the end of the Erie Canal for the Barge Canal...but more on that at another stop. 

Water from Limestone Creek was channeled under the aqueduct in a way that kept the creek from undermining the canal and its structures.

( A view looking upstream)

The marvelous stonework, almost 200 years old, is still a thing of beauty!

Details that not only helped lead the water in a more controlled manner under the canal trough, but added a beauty in craftsmanship still visible today.

In high water, the creek water would be slowed by this wall which would keep the creek from undermining the feeder, the footbridge, and the aqueduct

Without aqueducts, boats would be stuck in large size ponds! Aqueducts allowed for smooth crossing of creeks by packet boats. And so on the towpath, we head to our next stop...