[3] It is seven miles (11 km) long and delivers water from above Glens Falls on the Hudson River to the highest point of the Champlain Canal.

When a flood destroyed part of the dam across the Hudson River at Fort Edward, the feeder canal failed to provide enough water.

It ran seven miles (11 km) eastward to join the Champlain Canal, guaranteeing adequate water at its highest elevation.

Thirteen masonry locks were constructed to overcome the 130-foot (40 m) vertical drop east of Sandy Hill (now called Hudson Falls).

This engineering feat includes the "Five Combines" Locks in Hudson Falls (at the intersection of Pine Street and Burgoyne Avenue.