As part of the early Catawba-Wateree River navigation system, the Wateree Canal was built at a cost of $190,000. It had seven lifting locks and a guard lock where the canal left the river. The guard lock was made of brick, four of the lifts were made of stone, and three were built of wood.

The Saluda Canal began at Jones Mill, just above the mouth of White Oak Creek. It was planned to cross Sawney Creek by an aqueduct and return to the river at Sander's Creek, but this idea was dropped and the canal was terminated at Sawney Creek. The total lift was fifty-two (52) feet along its five mile length. It was built about seven miles north of Camden, SC.

In 1829, two of the wooden locks were rebuilt with granite at a cost of $20,000. The original contractors were Kibbe & Grafton (Daniel Grafton). It was closed in 1838.