At its peak, the Lehigh Canal was the main transporter of coal in the area.  However, the amount of coal transported by the canal slowly declined over the years.

    Several floods of the unpredictable Lehigh river contributed to damaging the canal, some of this damage was irreparable.  While floods caused major damage to the Lehigh Canal, the most destructive blow to the canal was delivered by railroads.

    The Lehigh Valley Railroad, built by Asa Packer, affected the canal dramatically.  Railroads were able to transport coal faster and cheaper than the canal.  Due to the growth of railroads canal use declined until the "iron horse" finally beat the mule when the last paying boat passed through on October 17, 1931.
 

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