In Lewiston during the 1800s, the Androscoggin River provided the best source of power for industry, and canals carried that power beyond the riverbanks, making possible the city's development as it is known today. In the late 1840s, the Lewiston Water Power Company hired workers, mostly Irish immigrants, to dig 1.9 miles of canals in Lewiston. These canals funneled river water directly to the mills, where it coursed through water wheels and powered machines. The flowing water supported the livelihood of thousands of people. On cold winter days, mill workers broke up ice to keep the water moving, and workers also cleaned the canals. In 2018, the City of Lewiston acquired ownership of the canals.