Landsford Canal State Park – June 11, 2007
Another day trip, another state park - today we visited Landsford Canal State Park, along the shores of the Catawba River.
Landsford Canal is one of the best preserved of numerous 19th century South Carolina river canals. It is the uppermost of four canals constructed on the Catawba-Wateree River system between 1820 and 1835. During this period, boats used the canals to bypass rapids while carrying goods to and from the coast.
We walked the trail along the the river ...
... and then along the side of the old canal, getting a look at the remnants of culverts, and locks.
Near the south end of the canal, there is an old stone bridge that was part of the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road. 
We also had a look at the lockkeeper’s house, which now contains interpretative exhibits about the canal system in South Carolina.
But … the REAL reason for visiting this park at this time of the year is to have a look at one of the world’s largest populations of rocky shoals water lilies. These are large plants that thrive in a very harsh environment – on the rocks in the middle of the river rapids. Their peak bloom is mid-May to mid-June, when they nearly cover the river in a blanket of white. It was quite a sight - worth the trip - we're already planning to go again next year....
Another day trip, another state park - today we visited Landsford Canal State Park, along the shores of the Catawba River.Landsford Canal is one of the best preserved of numerous 19th century South Carolina river canals. It is the uppermost of four canals constructed on the Catawba-Wateree River system between 1820 and 1835. During this period, boats used the canals to bypass rapids while carrying goods to and from the coast.
We walked the trail along the the river ...
... and then along the side of the old canal, getting a look at the remnants of culverts, and locks.
Near the south end of the canal, there is an old stone bridge that was part of the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road.
We also had a look at the lockkeeper’s house, which now contains interpretative exhibits about the canal system in South Carolina.But … the REAL reason for visiting this park at this time of the year is to have a look at one of the world’s largest populations of rocky shoals water lilies. These are large plants that thrive in a very harsh environment – on the rocks in the middle of the river rapids. Their peak bloom is mid-May to mid-June, when they nearly cover the river in a blanket of white. It was quite a sight - worth the trip - we're already planning to go again next year....
