Welland Canal Port Maitland. With the opening of the extension, the canal stretched between the two lakes, with 40 wooden locks. The minimum lock size was , with a minimum canal depth of . Deterioration of the wood used in the 40 locks and the increasing size of ships led to demand for the Second Welland Canal, which used cut stone locks, within just a few years. In 1839 the government of Upper Canada approved the purchase of shares in the private canal company in response to the company's continuing financial problems in the face of the continental financial panic of 1837.
Welland Canal, bridge 13 With the closure of many Welland industries and the resultant increase in numbers of persons in need, the downtown area has become home to organizations such as Goodwill and similar service groups, as opposed to significant private enterprise. Recently, a community volunteer initiative has reclaimed a neglected parkette along the west bank of the Welland Recreational Canal, just south of Bridge 13. Named "Guerrilla Park" by the volunteers, it has become a destination for one of the best views of this bridge, especially when lit up at night. It has also hosted a few art events. Recommendations for development of