--- title: Central Canal Aqueduct Undergoes Major Rehabilitation description: Central Canal Aqueduct Undergoes Major Rehabilitation image: https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Aqueduct%20Historical.jpg --- [![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Engauge/engauge-logo.jpg)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge) [![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Backgrounds/search-mobile.png)](https://www.citizensenergygroup.com/Search) # Central Canal Aqueduct Undergoes Major Rehabilitation By Adam Lowe on 5/12/23 9:15 AM ![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Aqueduct%20Historical.jpg) The first phase of rehabilitating a vital piece of Citizens Energy Group infrastructure is nearing completion. The Central Canal aqueduct recently received a major overhaul to repair structural deficiencies and extend its life at least another 25 years. The Central Canal aqueduct was built in 1839 to move water over Fall Creek as part of the larger Indiana Central Canal project intended to connect the Wabash and Erie Canals to the Ohio River. While the 296-mile canal project was ultimately canceled, eight miles of canal were completed in Indianapolis, stretching from the White River bend in Broad Ripple to the then-West Washington Street Pumping Station (which stands today in White River State Park). In 1976, the Indianapolis Water Company deeded the portion of the canal south of 16th Street to the City of Indianapolis, eventually becoming today’s downtown canal. The remainder of the canal ends just after crossing Fall Creek between Citizens’ Langsdale property and White River Water Treatment Plant. ![Aqueduct Rehab 3](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Aqueduct%20Rehab%203.jpg?width=198&height=264&name=Aqueduct%20Rehab%203.jpg)In its fifth iteration since being built in 1839, the Central Canal aqueduct has been challenged by a failing channel liner, water leaking through the channel into the substructure, concrete and patch deterioration, and severe deterioration of the upper walkway and railing. Phase one of the rehabilitation, which began in late 2022, is intended to repair the channel so rehabilitation of the substructure (piers, abutments, and arches) can commence in phase two.   In order to repair the channel, it first had to be dewatered. An initial plan considered the placement of pumping infrastructure to divert water across Fall Creek and around the aqueduct—an expensive and risky solution. An alternative approach was devised wherein a partition wall would be built down the middle of the aqueduct, allowing for one half of the aqueduct to be dewatered at a time so rehabilitation construction could take place.![Aqueduct Rehab 2](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Aqueduct%20Rehab%202.jpg?width=185&height=247&name=Aqueduct%20Rehab%202.jpg)  The center wall construction phase was completed in March 2023. To allow the aqueduct to continue to move water with little impedance, shoring boxes were placed down the center of the structure, which were then dewatered. Crews removed the gunite/mastic liner and decking and placed the center wall. Placing a cofferdam in front of the north half of the aqueduct, the structure is being dewatered and the existing liner and deck are being removed. The rehabilitation work on the north half will include a new concrete deck and channel walls that will mimic the design of the original construction, including the spillways and weirs. The south half will be dewatered and repaired beginning in November 2023. While Indiana never saw the convergence of the Wabash and Erie Canals, Indianapolis’ Central Canal is one of the most vital pieces of water supply infrastructure for the city today. The rehabilitation of the Central Canal aqueduct will ensure the movement of water for years to come.   ### Current Articles ### Recent Issues - [November 2019 (23)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/11) - [November 2018 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/11) - [January 2021 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/01) - [October 2021 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/10) - [February 2020 (20)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/02) - [December 2021 (20)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/12) - [October 2018 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/10) - [January 2019 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/01) - [June 2020 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/06) - [August 2019 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/08) - [October 2019 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/10) - [April 2020 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/04) - [September 2022 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/09) - [July 2019 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/07) - [July 2020 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/07) - [June 2021 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/06) - [April 2019 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/04) - [January 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/01) - [October 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/10) - [December 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/12) - [April 2021 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/04) - [July 2021 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/07) - [September 2020 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/09) - [March 2021 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/03) - [June 2022 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/06) - [February 2019 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/02) - [May 2019 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/05) - [May 2022 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/05) - [July 2022 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/07) - [October 2023 (13)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/10) - [September 2021 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/09) - [March 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/03) - [May 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/05) - [June 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/06) - [February 2022 (11)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/02) - [August 2018 (10)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/08) - [August 2023 (10)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/08) - [March 2022 (9)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/03) [![PDF Archives](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2545024/33b9e93c-8f43-4101-9b48-7e78154731f5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2545024/33b9e93c-8f43-4101-9b48-7e78154731f5) **Engauge** is published by Citizens Energy Group, Corporate Affairs Department, under the direction of Shannon Stahley, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs. It is distributed to the company’s employees and retirees, and to other interested parties upon request. **Editor:** Adam Lowe **Graphic Arts:** Joel Bustamante and Wayne Stohs The Corporate Affairs Department welcomes any ideas, comments, or suggestions from readers on how this publication might better serve you. Please email the Corporate Affairs Department at alowe@citizensenergygroup.com. Copyright © Citizens Energy Group. All rights reserved. - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.citizensenergygroup.com/Terms-Conditions) - [Privacy & Security](https://www.citizensenergygroup.com/Privacy-Security) - [Accessibility](https://www.citizensenergygroup.com/Accessibility) - [Site Map](https://www.citizensenergygroup.com/Site-Map)