Towpath Bridge - Havre de Grace, MD
Posted by: 
bluesnote
N 39° 36.808 W 076° 08.954
18S E 401349 N 4385487
A former railroad bridge used as a tow path to guide boats up and down the canal in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Today, the bridge is used as a hiking bridge in Susquehanna State Park.
Waymark Code: WM17AG8
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 01/14/2023
Views: 0
The plaque says, "The appearance of the area around the mouth of Deer Creek was changed by the construction of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal. A 246'-long dam, consisting of a heavy timber frame filled with rocks and covered with planking, raised the level of the creek and suppled water for the canal downriver to Havre de Grace. The raised level of Deer Creek also allowed barges to be towed upstream to the flint mill at Stafford.
A three-span wooden towpath bridge crossed the creek near the dam. It was wide enough to accommodate small work wagons and carriages as well as the mules that pulled the canal barges.
Southbound boats entered the creek below Lock #7 and were towed in the creek a distance of one mile to Lock #8. This lock was not used to raise or lower boats, but functioned as a guard lock, protecting the canal by keeping excess water from Deer Creek from flowing into the canal.
Remnants of the stone abutments for the towpath bridge and the dam are still visible. Even some of the wood timbers of the dam are visible at low water. The current bridge was built for the railroad spur used during the construction of the Conowingo Dam. The large stones which are in the chamber of lock #8 were dumped there during the construction of the railroad."
Trail Name: Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail
Approximate Length of Bridge: 150
Obstacle: Water
Trail Type: Earthen/Packed Dirt
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Visit Instructions:
Photos are encouraged, but not required.
Recent Visits/Logs:
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