A Lock Canal
When a river was too swift or shallow for navigation, shippers used canals with lift locks. The canals paralleled the river, using it as a water source.
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(not to scale) river surface, canal and lock sites. . . . — — Map (db m137538) HM
This lift lock, built in 1848, is 15 feet wide, 21 feet deep top to bottom, and 100 feet between gates. It lowered or lifted boats 13 feet allowing them passage to and from the river. The bottom is covered with original pine planking and walls are . . . — — Map (db m137528) HM
Canal Water was obtained from a dam on the James River six miles upstream. Battery Creek (under the present railroad bridge) did not flow into the canal as is does today. Since it is now the only water source for the restored lock, the water level . . . — — Map (db m137536) HM
These handles open or closed sluice gates which admitted water to lock.
When water level was equalled on both sides of gates they were opened by pushing on lever arms.
Gates closed at an angle pointing upstream so water pressure sealed . . . — — Map (db m137539) HM
The James River flows through the mountains at this location, creating a water gap in the Blue Ridge. This type of formation is characteristic of Appalachian geography. The Blue Ridge forms the eastern wall of the Appalachian Mountain system from . . . — — Map (db m161498) HM
