The town was formed during the building of the
Welland Canal to provide passage for cargo ships between
Lake Ontario and
Lake Erie. Subsequent canals were built and eight locks now provide a lift of 100m(330ft). Huge concrete tubes carry the Welland River under the ship canal downtown. The Old Canal in the heart of the city is now a recreational waterway. Water skiing, rowing, canoeing, and boating contests are held in the summer.
