 At their peak, the North Canal provided up to 13,000 horsepower and the South Canal 2,000 horsepower; the Essex Company sold "mill rights" to its water power, allowing mills to use the energy provided.The North Canal existed before the dam, but was redeveloped both to better feed the mills and to accommodate the drop caused by the dam.About a mile in length, the canal had a guard lock and three lift locks with mitered gates.