Erie Canal

Internet Scavenger Hunt

For Grades 3-5

Created by Suzanne Havlik

Erie Canal Village boat ride

One of the most powerful causes of growth and development in New York State was the building of the Erie Canal. You will learn much about this amazing creation as you search the sites for answers to the questions provided. Groups of questions will be followed by the site where the information can be found. Enjoy the ride.

1. How many canals were built in the 1800's in New York State?

http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/researchroom/rr_trans_recrds_hist.shtml

2.  When was the Erie Canal finished?

3.  How long was the canal?

4.  How deep and how wide was the Erie Canal?

http://www.eriecanal.org/

5. Take a tour on the site below and listen to “The Erie Canal” song.
When a boat goes under a bridge, what are the people supposed to do?      

6. How did the Erie Canal help New York City grow?

7. What did the canal do to help Midwestern United States?

http://www.epodunk.com/routes/erie-canal/#          

8. How did the boats move?

9. Where did the mules walk?

10. Why are locks needed?

11. How many locks were originally built?

http://www.eriecanal.org/locks.html  

12. Today’s canal system includes other canals in NY. How many miles of canals are there now?

13. What do they connect?

14. What are some things to see and do along the canals?

http://www.nycanal.com/canaltour/mapindex.html 

15. When a boat enters a lock where should it go?

16. What are boaters warned not to do?

http://www.canals.state.ny.us/exvac/boating/bclockthru.html

17. How many miles of NYS trails are there along the canals today?

18. How are the trails used? 

http://www.canals.state.ny.us/exvac/trail/index.html

NY State Standard 1 for Social Studies: Students will demonstrate understanding of a major development in the history of New York State.