Economic history of the United States
The 325-mile Erie Canal, which connected Albany, New York, on the Hudson River with Buffalo, New York, on Lake Erie, began operation in 1825. Wagon cost from Buffalo to New York City in 1817 was 19.2 cents per ton-mile. By Erie Canal c. 1857 to 1860 the cost was 0.81 cents. The Erie Canal was a great commercial success and had a large regional economic impact.
Geography of New York (state)
Lake Erie forms a portion of the western boundary of the state. It is long, with an average width of , and it lies mostly west of the bounds of the state. It is above Lake Ontario, above sea level, and has an average depth of . The greatest depth ever obtained by soundings is . The harbors upon the lake are Buffalo, Silver Creek, Dunkirk, and Barcelona.
The Niagara River, forming the outlet of Lake Erie, is long, and, on average, more than a mile wide. About below Lake Erie the rapids commence; and further below are Niagara Falls. For below the falls the river has a rapid course between perpendicular, rocky banks, high, but below it emerges from the highlands and flows to Lake Ontario in a broad, deep, and majestic current.