Locks 11-19 of the Third Welland Canal are located between Glendale avenue just north of the General Motors plant and cuts across the Niagara Escarpment. These nine locks are made of cut stone that are 270 feet long, 45 feet wide and 14 feet deep. In the 1870's the Canadian government commissioned a new transportation route and canal design that would be deeper and wider than its predecessor, the Second Welland Canal, and provide a uniformed navigation pathway when completed in 1887. The belief was this would accommodate passage for the large ships of the late 1800s that carried important resources like wheat. Canada was facing stiff competition for trade routes with the Erie Canal in New York and also new challenges with the emergence of the railway and steam engine. This impacted economic growth and spurred a need for change. It turned out the changes made were not viable long-term as the increase in the volume and size of ships and cargo as time passed became a problem and it shut down this canal in 1933. Human manipulation of the landscape made it possible for ships to travel across the Niagara Escarpment creating a link between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie that otherwise wouldn't be possible. Development in this area since then has seen the rise of the Royal Niagara Golf Club, General Motors, and a section of the Bruce Trail that coexists alongside the canal. Today, the infrastructure remains of these specific locks though several are in a state of decay, with cut stone crumbled onto the chamber floors and roots from different types of deciduous trees breaking through the chamber walls and lock 19 buried. Hidden in the thick vegetation of trees and bushes between the canal and the hiking trail are the original bollards for each lock chamber. Fences have been placed to separate the golf course from the hiking trail creating a barrier between the two.

Municipality: St. Catharines

Local area name: Welland Canal Wetlands

Latitude and longitude: 43°08'49"N 79°11'05"W

Physical Dimensions (Per Lock)

Length: 270 feet

Width: 45 feet

Surface Area:10970.928meters²

Elevation: Highest: 162m / lowest point:117m

Locks 11-19 of the Third Welland Canal have been decommissioned for over 70 years but most remain visible in the landscape today in between The Royal Niagara Golf Club, General Motors and a a section of the Bruce Trail off of Glendale Avenue. Ecological succession has taken over since the 1930s and a dense mix of vegetation has grown around the once operational canal. Several of the locks are in a state of decay, and old pieces of infrastructure are used as trail markings for hikers. Water from Lake Erie still flows through this canal system and provides support to wetlands and different habitats for aquatic and terrestrial animals. There are clear boundaries outside of the canal and the Bruce trail. There is a fence blocking the Royal Niagara Golf Club, and no access permitted signs with fine warnings along the Seaway Haulage Road.

Ecological and Physical Features: Biota

The third canal ceased operations in 1933 and since then plant succession has taken over and has colonized the area. This area lies in the Carolinian forest region (Crins, W., Gray, P., Uhlig, P., & Wester, M. 2009). There is a complex and vast diversity of flora and fauna that occupy this area (Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, 2014). Today this landscape has a mature mix forest of different deciduous and coniferous species that has grown around the locks of the third canal. The structure of the forest is a multiple layer canopy system. The American beech, trembling aspen, sugar maple and white ash form the top canopy layer region. Underneath this layer is a thick mix of different sub tree species and shrubs that are able to grow in shade like the Red Osier Dogwood that is spread throughout the region and provides food to birds and insects with its white berries. Little Blue Stem shrubs can be found along the shoreline of the canal. The bottom layer there is moss that covers branches and trunks of dead trees. There is a wide mix of birds like blue jays and sparrows and rodents that forage and aqauatic species that live in the wetlands in the basins between each locks. There are ecological changes that potentially have happened or have been influenced over time with the modification of land use adjacent to the canal; the seaway haulage Rd.is used by transport trucks and dump trucks for the St. Lawrence Seaway and the increased use of glendale ave can increase animal mortality, change their behaviour, and alter the chemicals in the environment (trombulak, 1999). The landscape can also be impacted from roads by a change in soil density, temperature, soil water content, surface-water flow, and sedimentation (trombulak, 1999). Glendale avenue is an incredibly busy road, with increased traffic going to the outlet malls, and with close proximity to this landscape that road traffic can spread dust which blocks photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration for plants which can change the structure of the community of plants (trombulakm 1999).

Geomorphology

Over time the niagara region has gone through periods of glaciations, and the advancement and retreat of glaciers has impacted the soil and topography through massive deposits of sediment. The last ice age occurred 20 000 years ago and during the late Wisconsin glaciation, the bedrock formed from deposits of silty rich till (Steele and Haynes, 2000). The bedrock consists of Palaeozoic sedimentary rock with progressions of Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian strata (Steele and Haynes, 2000). Meltwater also transported glacial debris through conduits and cavities in the glacier and the breakdown and weathering of these glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sediments are what the soil is composed of (Steele and Haynes, 2000). The topsoil in the region is very healthy and supports a dynamic forest ecosystem that supports a lot of different plant life. it is produced through the weathering of rocks and a mixture of decaying plant and animal biomass. The Niagara escarpment was shaped through millions of years of erosion from glaciers and other mass wasting processes and created a graded topography that's has moderate to steep slopes(Luczaj, 2013). The most significant human induced change to the landscape is the canal where massive excavations dug into the landscape to create a canal transportation system capable of lifting ships above the Niagara escarpment. Basins were also excavated to give ships an area to wait while other locks were occupied by other ships. Due to the area where these locks are, near a private industrial road, and the bruce trail path that is heavily foot trafficked by hikers and other busy roads nearby, dust from the road and dust and weathering can cause compaction in the top layer and decrease infiltration by filling joints and cracks (Marzloff et al, 2008)

Hydrogeology

Lake Erie is connected to this landscape. From the time it was built in the 1800s to today water has been flowing through these locks from the great lake. Wetlands have formed in the basins and they support aquatic plants and animal life in between locks. This gives the local ecosystem support by recharging aquifers, filter water, and provide habitats for animals (Alberti, 2008).

Over time different interglacial periods formed rivers and lakes in this area from retreating ice sheets but because of the power and erosion of these events only the last glaciation effects can be visible (Haynes, 2000). The last Glacier retreated in this area northwards from the Escarpment. it carved the basin for present day Lake Ontario due to the sheer size and weight (Haynes, 2000). The large amount of meltwater created a proglacial lake named Lake Iroquois that covered portions of St. Catharines.

The canal is a manmade waterway and when it was operational it was able to control the water levels in each lock. When you look at landcover changes from a hydrogeological perspective, between the years 1921-1948 you can see that the Second Welland Canal has been filled in and water levels have dropped significantly from when the Third Welland Canal was operational. Impermeable surfaces exist around the landscape, on nearby roads and the golf course that contain asphalt and concrete that could have an impact on hydrological processes, like increasing precipitation runoffs (Alberti, 2008).

Climate

Greenhouse gases have had a profound impact on the rising climate across the world and its impact is being felt everywhere. Niagara use to be an industrial powerhouse. When the different Welland canals were built, there was an explosion of different manufacturing facilities like lumber, paper and flour mills that didn't have stringent laws or regulations to follow in 1800s and contributed significant amount of pollution to the region (Taylor, 2009). The GM Plant right next to the Third Welland Canal was built in 1954 and has presumably contributed to changes in microclimate. This is an industrial plant that uses lots of electricity, and its surface area of concrete absorbs heat that radiates outwards slowly at nighttime and contributes to the urban heat island effect (Hough, 2006). Temperature the past 40 years has risen 1.3C degrees per year in Niagara (Penney, 2012). Today there has been an increase in the amount of frost-free days, longer summer droughts, and runoff and soil erosion. Theres a projection by 2050 a 20 percent decrease in summer rain fall projection (Penney, 2012). Over time if climate continues to increase there could be an increase in insect infestation and disease in vegetation, decrease in wetlands due to lower water levels, an increase in the amount of invasive species like sea lamprey and mussel zebras and outbreaks of toxic blue green algae that impacts Lake Erie (Penney, 2012).

Historical Features

Archaeological influences

Several different indigenous groups were the first inhabitants of Niagara and they lived in palisaded communities along the Niagara escarpment(Jackson & Wilson, 1993). When the areas around each village would be depleted of resources after many years the groups would move and form new villages and forest regeneration would take over their abandoned sites (Jackson & Wilson, 1993).Wood was used from local trees to create palisades and cooking and heating while soil was used for agricultural purposes (Jackson &Wilson, 1993).

Land use history

At the beginning of the 1860s it was well known that the Second Welland Canal was no longer a viable network system to support the demand in trade and the advance in technology with larger ships transporting goods(Jackson, 1991). The dilemma with this Canal was that the locks were too small and it had a difficult navigation route for these new ships to travel so a canal commission was assembled in the 1870s to come up with a solution. The Second Welland Canal locks would be enlarged but a new route from Thorold to Port Dalhousie would cut across the city diagonally to make it easier for ships to enter Lake Ontario. The canal commission decided on dimensions that included increasing the depth to 14feet per lock and the total length of the Canal was 26 1/2 miles long (Jackson, 1991). There were some unique features like the Grand Trunk Railway tunnel that was constructed underneath between locks 18 and 19. The canal cost 24 million dollars(Walker, 1926). Unfortunately the commission didn't have the foresight to see the modifications would not be sufficient for the increase in total tonnage passed through the canal by the early 1900's. In a period between 1901-1914 the total tonnage of goods passing through this Canal increased from 620000 tonnes to 3860000 tonnes (Walker, 1926). With a slight dip due to World War 1 there was recovery and by the mid 1920s total tonnage exceeded 5 million tonnes (Walker, 1926). It became insufficient like its predecessor and ceased operations to the Fourth Welland Canal. The decisions made in the 1870s for the blueprint of this canal contributed to the influence on the landscape today. If there was more foresight and accurate projections for the increase of trade and ships there may not have been a need to create a new canal. After it was been decommissioned and these specific locks were left alone by the municipality its created a thriving ecosystem for wildlife and plants. Another element is that this landscape is isolated from community and feels isolated. Theres really no access off of Glendale ave to park a car near the bruce trail entrance. Inside this section theres minimal sign infrastructure to warn about safety around the locks and a railway thats active. A car wreck is abandoned and left to slowly decay over time.

Cultural Features

The most substantial educational resource available is The Welland Canal Centre located on 1932 Welland Canals Parkway. This provides invaluable information on the history of the canals. It also houses the St. Catharines museum and Lacrosse Hall of Fame. In the 1970s there was a bigger plan for the third canal. A group called the Welland Canals Preservation Association formed to develop a strategy to create a tourist development and park system that featured the old canals. It would provide information on the history, preserved what's left of the locks and stone-craft and in a circular loop tie in Niagara Falls and bring in tourists from over there with hopes to providing an economic boom for the city. Before this was formed, the federal government in the 1960s, turned these lands over to local municipalities with federal grants and parts of the Canals were buried and destroyed (Shipley, 1999). Due to challenges of funding, money dried up and plans were curbed and nothing from that initiative came to fruition. Today these locks remain but are in a state of decay. When you walk along the canal on the Bruce Trail in the forests you can see bollards along each lock. These structures were used to tie the boats that were docked. Now they are surrounded by dense shrub vegetation. Some locks are in a better state than others, but a state of decay is happening to every single one. Some walls have collapsed, some individual stones are missing, the gates at the bottom of the locks are disintegrating. There's been no efforts by the city to protect the history of the locks. Considering how historically important these locks are and how intrinsically tied to the prosperity brought for not only St. Catharines but Thorold and Welland and the country, they should be preserved. A section of the Bruce trail runs alongside the canal and lots of hikers explore through this area every day. Some of the old structures are used as trail markings.

Land Tenure

The land for locks 11-19 is owned by two different municipalities shown on the Niagara Navigator website; St. Catharines and Thorold. 11-16 are in the St. Catharines district and locks 17-19 are in Thorold jurisdiction. Public access is available to this spot as the Bruce Trail runs alongside the Canal. Getting to the starting point off of Glendale avenue however is not accessible. There're no parking spots for hikers to park. It's not set up for pedestrian use. This area is classified as a Natural/Conservation area and is under the authority of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation authority who are responsible for the management of all flowering water into Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and watershed. This management has had an influence on the landscape because natural succession has been allowed to take over with no interference. If you look down the road there has been suburban expansion and outlet malls constructed. The land adjacent to the canal on the right is controlled by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and have restricted access to the public due to industrial use and to avoid conflict between trail users and large dump trucks ("General Committee Minutes", 2007). The land to the left has been cutoff and fences use to separate the land between the trail and The Royal Niagara Golf Club.

Connectivity and Context

Landscape connectivity is measured on how successful resources move from one area to the next to improve quality of life and survival from a human perspective(Alberti, 2008). It can rate landscape structures and how they move or slow down the movement of resources (Alberti, 2008). The Third Welland Canal provided a period of time where it was able to move significant amount of resources that played a vital role in the economic growth of Canada and the United States. This development was able to enhance human activities and increase the connectivity of trade between two countries. As time moved on, just like with the second version of the Welland Canal, and technology advanced, ships increased in size, demand increased, the canal was not adequate to keep up and would eventually impede the growth of economies for both countries if it were not for the construction of a new and better canal.

Contact Information

NIAGARA PENINSULA CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

250 Thorold Road West; 3rd Floor
Welland, ON L3C 3W2
Phone: 905-788-3135
Fax: 905-788-1121
info@npca.ca

Monday to Friday - 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Saturday & Sunday - Closed

Literature Cited

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Crins, W., Gray, P., Uhlig, P., & Wester, M. (2009). The Ecosystems of Ontario, Part 1: Ecozones and Ecoregions. Peterborough: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

General Committee Minutes. (2007). In Greater Niagara Circle Route Trails East Port Weller St. Lawrence Seaway Spit Trail Extension (pp. 3,4). St.Catharines.

Hoggan, M. (2020). Lock 13, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Lock 14, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Bruce Trail, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Red Osier Dogwood, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Blueberries, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Vegetation, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Lock 15, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Car Wreck, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Bollard, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Bollard 2, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Lock 15 Decay, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hoggan, M. (2020). Royal Niagara Golf Club Barrier, Third Welland Canal [Image].

Hough, M. (2006). Cities and natural process. London: Routledge.

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[Niagara Air Photo Digital Images, 1921 Series]. [18932-039]. St. Catharines, ON: Brock University Maps, Data & GIS, 2016. Available: (Accessed 12/11/2020).

[Niagara Air Photo Digital Images, 1934 Series]. [18932-039]. St. Catharines, ON: Brock University Maps, Data & GIS, 2016. Available: (Accessed 12/11/2020).

[Niagara Air Photo Digital Images, 1948 Series]. [18932-039]. St. Catharines, ON: Brock University Maps, Data & GIS, 2016. Available: (Accessed 12/11/2020).

[Niagara Air Photo Digital Images, 1965 Series]. [18932-039]. St. Catharines, ON: Brock University Maps, Data & GIS, 2016. Available: (Accessed 12/11/2020).

[Niagara Air Photo Digital Images, 1995 Series]. [18932-039]. St. Catharines, ON: Brock University Maps, Data & GIS, 2016. Available: (Accessed 12/11/2020).

[Niagara Air Photo Digital Images, 2015 Series]. [18932-039]. St. Catharines, ON: Brock University Maps, Data & GIS, 2016. Available: (Accessed 12/11/2020).

Penney, J. (2012). Adapting to climate change: Challenges for Niagara (pp. 8-9). Niagara.

[Photograph found in St. Catharines Historical Museum, St. Catharines]. (1992). In St. Catharines Canada's Canal City (p. 94). St. Catharines, ON: The St. Catharines Standard. (Originally photographed 1900)

Shipley, R. (1999). Making a silk purse from a sow's ear: lessons from the failure to develop the Welland Canal as a tourism resource. Environments, 27(2).

St. Catharines City Council. (2013). Zone Your St.Catharines ZONING BY–LAW (p. 188). St. Catharines.

St. Catharines Public Library. (1890). Grand Trunk Rwy. Tunnel Under 3rd Canal. 1890 [Image]. Retrieved from http://bmd.stcatharines.library.on.ca/en/3308925/d...

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Taylor, R. (2009). Merritton, Ontario: The Rise and Decline of an Industrial Corridor (ca. 1845-1939). Scientia Canadensis, 14(1-2), 90-130. doi: 10.7202/800303ar

Walker, J. (1926). The Welland Ship Canal. Scientific American, 135(1), 32-33.

This Local Landscape Report was prepared by Michael Hoggan for the Brock University course TMGT 2P94: Human Dominated Ecosystems on November 12, 2020.

All copyrights for cited material rest with the original copyright owners.