Low water at Dam 5, 1856

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
The Cumberland Civilian states the some difficulty is experienced from low water at dam No. 5, on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, so much so, that the Canal Company keep employed at that point a force of hands and a scow, to assist the boats over the bar. The boats are lightened by taking out about 10 tons, which enables them to pass over the obstruction, when the 10 tons are returned, and from thence they can proceed to their place of destination without other interruptions.

– On account of this difficulty experienced by the boatmen the several Coal Companies have advanced, by mutual agreement, 6 cents per ton, additional on freight. The Canal Board, at a recent meeting, decided on making such repairs to, or rather on so far renewing dams Nos. 4 and 5, especially the former, as to involve an expenditure of no less than $70,000.