Songo Lock Dam is a photograph by Catherine Melvin which was uploaded on January 27th, 2016.
Songo Lock Dam
Songo Lock is the last vestige of the 50-mile Cumberland and Oxford Canal system, which once boasted 28 locks used to level out the 260-foot... more
Title
Songo Lock Dam
Artist
Catherine Melvin
Medium
Photograph
Description
Songo Lock is the last vestige of the 50-mile Cumberland and Oxford Canal system, which once boasted 28 locks used to level out the 260-foot difference in elevation between Portland Harbor and Long Lake.
But one thing hasnt changed. The locks massive wooden doors and cast-iron sluice gears are still operated by hand. But during winter, it's a frozen oasis.
The old Cumberland and Oxford Canal system connected Portland to the interior. Horses and oxen towed the boats through the first leg, 20 miles and 27 locks of hand-dug canal, from Portland to Sebago Lake. Then the long, narrow boats would sail 12 miles up Sebago Lake. From there, the canal men used poles some 100-feet long to leverage the boats 4 miles up the Songo River. Once through the final lock, they poled 2 more miles through Brandy Pond to Long Lake. Once again under sail, it was 12 miles up Long Lake to Harrison.
Uploaded
January 27th, 2016
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