The shimmering waters of the Augusta Canal will begin to disappear on Feb. 6, and all that will be left is a mudflat snaking through the city.
The good news is that the canal is only being drained temporarily for maintenance purposes, the water will return on March 18, and the canal should be back to full pool on March 20.
According to Canal Heritage Area Executive Director Dayton Sherrouse, Georgia Power is planning on completing some extensive work at their substation on 15th Street adjacent to the Butt Memorial Bridge. The upgrade will involve installation of a conduit underneath the canal for the installation of some additional electrical cables.
Meanwhile, the Augusta Utilities Department will conduct maintenance work as well.
Workers will repair the embankment above the raw water pumping station where two trees have blown over during the recent heavy rain and high wind and caused damage to the canal embankment and trail. About 100 feet of the towpath will be closed while the trees are removed, according to Augusta Utilities Director Wes Byne.
MORE: Rezoning request for Jones Creek clubhouse withdrawn
Byne says that repairs will also be made to the Long Gate Spillway.
“We’re taking the opportunity to perform structural reviews of the bulkheads and the Long Gate Spillway, which are the most historical parts of the canal,” Byne said.
The Canal Authority is also using the “dry spell” to perform routine maintenance of the Petersburg boats, according to Sherrouse.
“The Petersburg Boats require a dry dock inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard every five years. So, during this time the canal is drained the Canal Authority staff will clean and repaint the bottom of the boats and make whatever repairs to the boats as necessary,” Sherrouse said.
The boats are currently dry docked across from Enterprise Mill.
