Constructed in 1845 near the Savannah River, the Augusta Canal turned the sleepy little village of Augusta into an economic and industrial powerhouse. Providing both efficient transportation and cheap hydro power, the Canal quickly attracted a series of mills and factories along its banks. During the Civil War, the Confederacy operated a huge explosives mill here that at its peak was producing 3.5 tons a day of black powder for the Southern armies. After the war it became a center for textile mills.
Today, a section of the Augusta Canal is run by the National Park Service as a historical heritage area. There is a small museum, and boat tours take visitors for a one-hour cruise on the Canal. The tour guide gives a history lesson as well as watching out for local wildlife.
Some photos from a visit.