Cumberland and Oxford Canal - Portland, ME - Engineering Landmarks on Waymarking.com

The Cumberland and Oxford Canal was a navigable waterway that extended from Harrison, Maine, on Long Lake, to Portland, Maine in the harbor. It operated from 1830 to 1870 and was used to transport timbers from the interior of the state to Portland.

The canal had about 30 miles of natural water and 20 miles of man made sections. The canals had 28 locks, as well.

In 1978, the local section for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) dedicated a plaque to the canal. This plaque is located in a park dedicated to historic Stroudwater, on Congress Street/Route 9, at the intersection with Waldo Street.

I took a trip to follow the canal from the road. A web site (referenced below) provided some information about possible surviving remnants. Most of the remnants required a hike, which we did not do. There were others that might require permission from the owners, prior to hiking in. The most visible portion of the canal is along Middle Jam Road in Gorham. This section, also called the Eel Weir Canal, is a very straight waterway elevated above the road. Along the river and canal, there is a covered bridge.

Location: From Portland to Harrison. The waterway includes Long Lake, and Lake Sebago, plus several man made sections, of which, the Eel Weir Canal is the best preserved section. Type of structure/site: Canal Date of Construction: 1830 Engineering Organization Listing: American Society of Civil Engineers Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Web Site: [Web Link] Engineer/Architect/Builder etc.: Not listed

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