Canal de la Somme
The entrance of the Canal de la Somme from the English Channel at Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme
Specifications
Length156.4 km (97.2 mi)
Locks25
Total rise66 m (217 ft)
History
Construction began1770
Date completed1843
Geography
Start pointEnglish Channel at Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
End pointCanal de Saint-Quentin at St. Simon
Connects toCanal de Saint-Quentin but disused Canal du Nord
Canal de la Somme location
Location of Canal de la Somme, showing the upstream section disused; middle section shared with Canal du Nord

The Canal de la Somme is a canal in northern France. Its total length is 156.4 km with 25 locks, from the English Channel at Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme to the Canal de Saint-Quentin at Saint-Simon.

History

The Somme River was canalized beginning in 1770. The 54 km section from St. Simon to Bray was completed by 1772, but the rest was not finished until 1843.[1]

Overview

The canal as originally built has seen substantial modifications since construction of the Canal du Nord in 1904–1965, and is now made up of four distinct sections:

Some authors distinguish the Grande Somme downstream from Péronne and the Petite Somme upstream from Voyennes. Since 2005 the latter section has been closed to navigation as a result of silt deposits.[1]

In the 1960s, more than 300,000 tonnes of goods were transported on the canal. Today it is used largely by pleasure boats.

En Route

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jefferson, David (2009). Through the French Canals. Adlard Coles Nautical. p. 275. ISBN 978-1-4081-0381-4.
  2. ↑ Edwards-May, David (2010). Inland Waterways of France. St Ives, Cambs., UK: Imray. pp. 90–94. ISBN 978-1-846230-14-1.
  3. ↑ Fluviacarte, Canal de la Somme (amont)

50°11′N 1°39′E / 50.183°N 1.650°E / 50.183; 1.650

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