Lechmere Canal

Lechmere Canal is a short canal in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. It opens onto the Charles River and used to be an active port for Boston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.

During the 1800s the canal served as a seaport before the Charles River dam was interposed between it and Boston Harbor. Apparently the canal was created in tidal waterways of the Charles basin, before and while the surrounding land was filled.

The canal's original right of way appears to have been granted by several deeds in 1834, as conveyed by the Proprietors of Canal Bridge. These deeds conveyed canal passage as well as "the privilege of a dock 100 feet in width on the south-westerly side of the aforegranted premises; said dock to be kept open for ever for the common use and benefit of the owners and occupants of the land or wharves on either side and head thereof." Its south spur seems to have been authorized by the Harbor Commissioners in 1874. This extension was allowed to be 120 feet wide and some 900 feet long, and would be created in the midst of landfill as the harbor was filled.

Today the canal has been incorporated into the East Cambridge Embankment, and serves as a scenic accent to the surrounding neighborhood and park. It is northwest of the Museum of Science near Lechmere Square.

References

* Massachusetts Committee on Charles River Dam, Henry Smith Pritchett, chairman, "Evidence and Arguments Before the Committee on Charles River Dam", Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers, 1903. Pages 459-461.