Highest Point on Ohio & Erie Canal: Lock 38 at 411 ft Elevation

The summit level of the Ohio & Erie Canal is at Lock 38 (near Peninsula, Ohio), elevation 411 feet (125 m) above sea level.

Context

• Canal ran 308 mi from Portsmouth (Ohio River) to Cleveland (Lake Erie).
• Summit section crossed the Portage Escarpment (continental divide between Ohio River & Great Lakes basins).
• Locks 37–44 clustered at summit; Lock 38 highest.
• Water supplied by Portage Lakes reservoir system.

Today

Part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Towpath Trail follows canal route. Lock 38 area has visitor center, exhibits, operating lock demonstration.