This is part of NBC4's ongoing series about the America 250 Ohio celebration, highlighting Ohio's contributions to the nation ahead of America's 250th anniversary celebration in 2026.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Water is fundamental to human life, and for a mostly land-locked state like Ohio you might be surprised to learn how water has shaped the founding (and future) of the state.
"Ohio has its shape because of the Ohio River on the south, and Lake Erie on the north. And what people don't really realize is how much the water shaped not only the state but the nation." said Chris Hubertise, a spokesperson for America 250 Ohio.
In Millersport, the canal that runs through downtown is a popular spot for boaters and connectivity to Buckeye Lake. But 200 years ago, the Millersport Canal and the hundreds like it across the state provided the most reliable path for transit.
It was known as the Ohio River Lake Erie Canal Trail. "The canals connected the lake and the river to each other so that goods could move, ideas could move, people could move. And it really brought Ohio together." Hubertise said.
As part of the America 250 Ohio celebration, the state has put together a Lake Erie to Ohio River Driving Trail, featuring more than 150 stops showcasing Ohio's most important waterways and sites that best display the importance of water in the Buckeye state. In central Ohio, the canals and Buckeye Lake stand atop that list.
The Millersport canal specifically saw about 3,000 boats annually at the peak of its traffic. Those boats moved food, building materials and travelers. The canals were even used to assist escaped slaves in moving north to Canada.
Columbus lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai cleared to proceedHow the Ohio River and Lake Erie Canal Trail worked is only a part of the story. What's even more remarkable is how it was physically built. Buckeye Lake may serve as the biggest example of that construction. More than 3,000 acres of lake was created not only by nature, but by hand.
"It seems impossible that this this lake was hand dug. tens of probably thousands of people here hand digging to make the lake what it is today just to feed the Ohio Erie Canal with enough water to move their goods." said Mark Hoffhines, the park manager at Buckeye Lake State Park.
Buckeye Lake is the oldest state park in Ohio, established in 1949. It's now home to thousands of residents and daily users for its water sports and nature trails.
Ohio is home to nearly 30,000 miles of rivers, in addition to the thousands of miles of canals and lakes. They're Ohio's original roots, but also guided by modern engineering.
"Recently we saw the flooding in Texas, and our waterways in Ohio help us control flooding. Many of those lakes, dams and rivers help us control our flooding. So they're really important to the safety of Ohioans." said Alyssa Yaple of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
"To know that there's so many amazing locks and parks where you could go and see canal history... that history is alive and you can reach it within a couple of hours wherever you are in Ohio." Hubertise said.
To learn more about the Lake Erie to Ohio River driving trail, visit Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail - America 250 - Ohio
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