Stop here at Gambote. We are standing before the historic Canal del Dique. This 118 km artificial canal connects Cartagena Bay to the Magdalena River.
The Canal del Dique’s story began in 1582. The Spanish built it to link Cartagena with the Magdalena River. This was vital because the river’s mouth was hard to navigate. Cartagena and Santa Marta lacked direct river access. Imagine the frustration of Colombia’s main ports being cut off from its main river.
The canal quickly fell into disrepair. It was rebuilt around 1650. By the late 1700s, it was only usable during high water. By 1821, it was completely blocked. Trade shifted away from Cartagena. Santa Marta and Sabanilla became more important.
In 1831, Cartagena traders pushed for the canal’s reopening. Dredging attempts failed. By the late 1800s, a railroad replaced the canal. The American engineer George Totten helped rebuild the canal in the mid-19th century.
The Canal del Dique was improved in 1923 and 1952. However, increased sedimentation reduced its use. Now, there are considerations for modernizing the channel. This aims to boost trade in Cartagena’s port.
Since 2013, river diversions have been planned. The Dutch company Royal HaskoningDHV is working to control sediment and water flow. This project has created a new mangrove wetland. It has also aided land building and ecological restoration.
The Canal del Dique crosses Bolivar, Atlántico, and Sucre departments. It begins at the Magdalena River in Calamar. It empties into Cartagena Bay.
Goods transport between the Magdalena River and Cartagena was difficult before the canal. A mule trail through swamps was the only option. It was expensive. The canal offered a faster route.
In 1650, Governor Pedro Zapata de Mendoza started rebuilding the canal. Over 2,000 indigenous people and slaves were used. They manually excavated the canal. This took six months.
Initially, only small vessels could navigate the Canal del Dique. Barges and canoes took three to four days. The canal provided a safe route, away from the Caribbean Sea’s winds. Cartagena relied on it for supplies during pirate sieges.
The Canal del Dique was one of the first major engineering projects in the Americas. It strengthened Cartagena’s role as a main Caribbean port. For a century, it was the only communication means with the inner territory.
The Canal del Dique has undergone several rectifications. It has been dredged to maintain navigability. Still, it remains vital for the region’s inhabitants. The Autonomous Regional Corporation of the Canal del Dique protects the canal’s ecosystems.
This waterway played a role in Gabriel García Márquez’s novel Love in the Time of Cholera. So, the Canal del Dique represents more than just a waterway. It embodies centuries of history, engineering, and cultural significance. It has shaped Cartagena and Colombia.