Comments
AxlCobainVedder OP t1_j0c49cn wrote
Thank you! I’d love that
sutisuc t1_j0d3d9c wrote
Such a bummer so much of the canal is gone/filled in now.
SadMasterpiece7019 t1_j0d5849 wrote
You'd be surprised how much of it actually still exists!
sutisuc t1_j0d8ofc wrote
I’ve seen all the spots lol there’s not much left of it especially considering how much of the Delaware and raritan is still around and even more so with something like the Erie Canal in NYS. And then you have a place like Waterloo village that is basically falling down around itself.
introspeck t1_j0daw1m wrote
I criss-cross the Morris canal right-of-way on backroads near Washington NJ and other towns. No canal left, just signs saying the canal used to be there.
SadMasterpiece7019 t1_j0g2ear wrote
Here's a lidar map showing the area just east of Washington. You can see the remains of the canal highlighted in green. It's still there.
introspeck t1_j0h3cex wrote
Cool. Perhaps some sections near the roads got filled in. Usually when I see a historical marker for the canal, I can make out the remnants of the towpath, but no trench for the canal. Probably if I followed the path I'd find more.
rollotomasi07071 t1_j0c4925 wrote
So, wait... I never thought about this before: Because of the inclined planes, the canal never flowed continuously from end to end like the D&R canal, correct? So was the water just stagnant between inclined planes? How was it refilled if it got too low?
SadMasterpiece7019 t1_j0d55wp wrote
Lake Hopatcong was the primary feeder, as it was the highest elevation on the canal. The canal passed through a number of rivers on its way to either end of the state, including the Musconetcong, Rockaway, Passaic, and there was a feeder canal from the Pompton River. At the plane in Boonton the Rockaway River just carried the water around the hill until the canal met up with it again around where 287 and Main Street meet.
wessty1984 t1_j0dxe16 wrote
Anyone have a recent picture of the same spot or can I find it on google maps? Is this by the recycling center?
prp4241 t1_j0edjk8 wrote
40° 54.326′ N, 74° 24.759′ W
At the intersection of Main St and (appropriately named) Plane St in Boonton. There's a marker there but otherwise, the site is unremarkable.
Source: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=88949
Google Street View: https://goo.gl/maps/MrcGEKSe1PXTErP37
partspuke t1_j0e4mhv wrote
[I would guess here.](Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/STPQcwVY6gyiJs6G9?g_st=ic)
wessty1984 t1_j0e7r1e wrote
Thanks
4runner01 t1_j0c13k4 wrote
OP: there’s a great organization https://www.canalsocietynj.org/
They do historical educational canal walks, hold monthly meetings with interesting presentations, maintain a boatload of historical canal information and they also work very hard to keep a museum at Waterloo Village alive.
Consider joining or attending some of these events. All are welcome.