Cumberland and Oxford Canal

History

The Cumberland and Oxford Canal opened on June, 1830, to connect the largest lakes of southern Maine, United States, with the seaport of Portland. The canal followed the Presumpscot River from Sebago Lake through the towns of Standish, Windham, Gorham and Westbrook. The Canal diverged from the river at Westbrook to reach the navigable Fore River estuary and Portland Harbor. The canal required 27 locks to reach Sebago Lake at an elevation of 267 feet (81 m) above sea level. One additional lock was constructed in the Songo River to provide 5 feet (1.5 m) of additional elevation to reach Long Lake from Sebago Lake. Total navigable distance was approximately 38 miles (61 km) from Portland to Harrison, at the northern end of Long Lake. A proposed extension from Harrison to Bear Pond and Tom Pond in Waterford would have required three more locks on the Bear River, but they were never built.

A state lottery was authorized to help raise $50,000 for the project, and the Canal Bank of Portland was chartered in 1825. The canal was completed in 1830 at a cost of $206,000. The excavated portions of the canal had a surface width of 30 feet (9.1 m) with a 10 feet (3.0 m) wide channel 3.5 feet (1.1 m) deep. The locks were 10 feet (3.0 m) wide and 80 feet (24 m) long. Lock walls were made of granite masonry with wooden gates at either end. A lockkeeper was stationed at each lock to move the lock gates with heavy timber balance beams, manipulate iron valves to adjust water levels within the lock and collect a fee of six cents for use of the lock.

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