Indiana Central Canal

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The Canal in Downtown Indianapolis

The Indiana Central Canal was a canal intended to connect the Wabash and Erie Canal to the Ohio River. It was funded by the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act, Indiana's attempt to take part in the canal-building craze, started by the Erie Canal. $3.5 million was allocated for the project, the largest piece of the entire $10 million Act. However, due to the Panic of 1837, Indiana became bankrupt, and building of the canal was stopped in 1839. The canal was supposed to extend 296 miles, from Peru, Indiana to Evansville, Indiana, where it would reach the Ohio River. It was originally divided into two sections, North and South. Later, a third section was designated, called the Indianapolis section. Only eight miles were completed, with eighty additional miles between Anderson, Indiana and Martinsville, Indiana having been partially built.

Prior to its construction, the canal path was surveyed by Jesse Williams, the canal engineer of Indiana. The state of Indiana would already own most of the land required for the canal. The canal would be six feet deep and sixty feet wide.^[1]

The Northern Section was from Peru to Broad Ripple, Indiana. It was surveyed primarily by William Goody. It was to use the Mississinewa River to Alexandria, Indiana, and then parallel the White River.^[2] Only Delaware and Madison counties saw significant progress, which consisted of limited digging.

The eight fully completed miles were entirely within the Indianapolis section, continuing to parallel the White River. This section consisted of 24 miles that were dug and watered, from Waverly, Indiana to Broad Ripple, where the construction began. Due to the land being undeveloped, construction between Broad Ripple and downtown Indianapolis was difficult.^[3] In the last half of the 19th Century, various water companies would use the section to power the water system in Indianapolis. In 1904 the Indiana Water Company would take advantage of the partially-built canal as a purification system. In 1976 the Indiana Water Company sold the land to the city of Indianapolis.

The southern section was from Port Royal (now Waverly) to Evansville. It was primarily surveyed by Francis Cleveland.^[4] The twenty miles attempted were in Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.

The Central Canal Towpath of Indianapolis follows along a portion of the completed eight miles.

Six different species of turtle populate the Indianapolis section, and are studied to see how urban environments affect wildlife.^[5]

In 1971 the canal was designated by the American Water Association as an American Water Landmark.^[6]