Downtown in Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Canal, by the Numbers
| | Patterson Boulevard Canal Parkway | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025
1. The Canal, by the Numbers Marker
The Miami Erie Canal took:
20 years to complete, costing $8,062,680
The canal was:
66 miles from Cincinnati to Dayton
249 miles from the Ohio River to Lake Erie
40-150 ft wide at top of canal
26 ft wide at bottom of canal
5-12 ft deep and lined with clay for water-resistance
The canal had:
19 aqueducts
103 lift locks
3 guard locks
3 major reservoirs
This profile of the Miami Erie Canal path shows the elevation from Ohio River to Lake Erie. The canal rose from Ohio River to the Loramie Summit by 512 feet, passing Dayton on the way. From the summit it descended to Lake Erie, which was 117 ft above the river level. Three reservoirs, located at high points between Sidney and St. Mary's fed the canal during dry seasons.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 39° 45.427′ N, 84° 11.271′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South Patterson Boulevard and East 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Patterson
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Miami Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Aqueducts (here, next to this marker); Towpaths (here, next to this marker); Dayton and the Canal: Timeline (here, next to this marker); The Canal and the Railroad (here, next to this marker); Anatomy of a Canal Lock (here, next to this marker); Constructing the Canal (here, next to this marker); Bridges (here, next to this marker); The Oregon District (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025
2. The Canal, by the Numbers Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
