The Morris Canal was built in 1825 and completed in 1831 at a cost of $2,000,000. An enlargement from 1840 to 1845, including this reservoir, increased the cost to $3,400,000, and further improvements from 1846 to 1860 brought it to $5,100,000. The canal had 28 locks and 23 inclined planes. In crossing the state, a boat traveled 2,134 feet vertically and 102.15 miles horizontally, requiring ten days for a round trip.