What Lake Did the Erie Canal Connect To? Lake Erie

Direct Answer

The Erie Canal connected Lake Erie (at Buffalo) to the Hudson River (at Albany), completing an all-water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Full Chain

Lake Superior → St. Marys River → Lake Huron → St. Clair/Detroit Rivers → Lake Erie → Erie Canal → Hudson River → New York Harbor → Atlantic.

Why Lake Erie?

• Westernmost Great Lake accessible without Niagara Falls barrier.
• Buffalo's natural harbor at eastern tip.
• Shortest overland portage to Mohawk/Hudson watershed.