Clinton–Kalamazoo Canal

The Clinton - Kalamazoo Canal is only partially completed canal in Michigan, which was never put into operation. The channel should connect the Lake St. Clair with Lake Michigan. The inspiration for the sewer construction is based on the success of the Erie Canal in New York, which was completed in 1825. 1837 Michigan gained the status of a state and its first Governor, Steven Thomson Mason, launched an ambitious project, for example, infrastructural improvements contained including three railway lines and two channels.

The Clinton - Kalamazoo Canal should begin in Mount Clemens, on the banks of the Clinton River and extend over Utica, Rochester, Pontiac, Howell and Hastings to the mouth of the Kalamazoo River. The total length should be 348 km (216 miles). Construction began in 1838 with great interest to the public. Financial problems were due to the Panic of 1837 led to the financing of the project faltered and stopped all construction work in 1838, after only 19 km were completed. Other reasons for the failure of the building were the erroneous calculations of the engineers, the channel was too shallow and built too narrow for heavy cargo ships.

After the building was set, the stage of construction quickly fell into disrepair. Parts of the channel were used as a mill races, which functioned until the 19th century. Remains of the canal are still visible in Rochester Hills, Oakland County, Michigan and Shelby Charter Township and Clinton Charter Township in Macomb County, Michigan.