Everything Everywhere Daily · Wednesday, July 29, 2026
The United States possessed significant natural water transportation networks, including the Mississippi River basin, the Great Lakes, and the Intercoastal Waterway. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, further enhanced connectivity by linking the Hudson River with Lake Erie.
“However, compared to every other country in the world, the United States had something going for it: amazing water transportation networks.”
“In fact, the United States has three of the best waterways in the world. The first is the Mississippi River basin.”
“The Great Lakes were the second, allowing ports as far inland as Duluth, Minnesota, to connect to the Atlantic Ocean once locks were built to handle changes in water elevation.”
“And the third is the Intercoastal Waterway. It's a network of protected coastal rivers, bays, canals, and sounds running along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.”
“So the Erie Canal, which was completed in 1825, connected the Hudson River with Lake Erie.”