Question: when did the erie canal started being built
Answer: Erie Canal Current Route of the Erie Canal Specifications Length 363 miles ( 584 km ) Locks 36 Maximum height above sea level 571 ft ( 174 m ) Status open Navigation authority New York State Canal Corporation History Original owner New York State Principal engineer Benjamin Wright Other engineer ( s ) Canvass White , Amos Eaton Construction began July 4 , 1817 ( at Rome , New York ) Date of first use May 17 , 1821 Date completed October 26 , 1825 Date restored September 3 , 1999 Geography Start point Hudson River near Albany , New York ( 42 ° 47 ′ 00 '' N 73 ° 40 ′ 36 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 42.