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| The Duck Creek Aqueduct Covered Bridge, Metamora, IN. (dwm photo) |
The Aqueduct Covered Bridge was built as part of the Whitewater Canal spanning Duck Creek. Its mission - move boat traffic down the canal.
It is the only wood aqueduct still operating in the United States.
I was pretty excited to see it. What a concept, a bridge to carry water and traffic over water.
The idea was born before the dawn of railroads which soon splashed cold water on canal projects around the country.
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| Duck Creek runs below the canal bridge. dwm photo |
Beside the bridge, Metamora hosts a horse-pulled boat which recreates 19th century canal traffic. There is a mill and old train.
It probably offers more attractions than any other covered bridge, so it is worth the time to stay a while.
On my visit, this amazing structure was one of several on my schedule. I was fortunate to get a view of the boat with a two horsepower engine.
This bridge was mind-blowing. Built between 1846 to replace an earlier version destroyed, ironically, by a flood, I can imagine a lot of locals wondering how it was going to work.
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| The original outboard motor. Those train tracks are what put the canal out of business. (dwm) |
Not that any of you are inclined to do so, but I would recommend you call somebody else to design your next bridge; or lean-to shelter for that matter.
Walking around the bridge, boat, and horses - I was smiling the whole time. It just seemed so incredible.
Other versions of the aqueduct surround us. Where interstates come together no one is shocked by roads going over or under other ribbons of highway.
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| Whitewater canal flowing through the Aqueduct Bridge. 6/24/2011 dwm photo |
The restoration was undoubtedly part of Metamora stamping its future with Indiana's past.
Bridge Facts:
Whitewater Canal Covered Bridgealso called Aqueduct Covered Bridge
Metamora, Indiana - Franklin County
Built: 1846
Style: Burr Arch
Length: 81 feet over Duck Creek
Find more covered bridges by clicking here.
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