As part of the early Saluda River navigation system, the Saluda Canal was built in a little over a year at a cost of $161,000. It had four lifting locks and a guard lock on the upriver terminus. All structures were made of stone. The contractor was Thomas Strode. It was closed in 1837.

The Saluda Canal left the Saluda River three miles from the Broad River and followed the north bank to the Broad River. It is now within the city limits of Columbia, South Carolina. The canal provided thirty-four (34) feet of lift over its length.

All lock structures have disappeared, but a stretch of the lower channel can still be seen in the Columbia Riverbank Zoo Park. The city of Columbia plans a small museum on the site to include a small number of artifacts and displays.