The Augusta Canal was built in three levels. The first level begins at the Headgates located at Columbia County’s Savannah Rapids Park. This level reaches 7 miles. terminating at gates a 13th Street near Walton Way, just north of the University Hospital main campus. The towpath trail which runs along the north side is limited to pedestrians/cyclists from the headgates to the Augusta Waterworks Raw Water Pump Station at the end of Goodrich street. Goodrich Street parallels the canal to King Mill.

The canal’s second and third levels wind thru downtown and are less visible and accessible that the first level. The Second level branches from 13th Street toward the northeast, where it intersects with the third level near 11th and Telfair Streets, adjacent to Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. From there, the Third level flows in two directions: northwest toward Hawks Gully at 15th Street where the water re-enters the Savannah River, and southeast, where it flows into Beaver Dam Creek.

Environment   

Although the Augusta Canal is man-made, many areas along its banks have returned to a more natural state.
The canal occupies a unique ecosystem created along the granite ledges that separate the Piedmont plateau
from the Coastal plain –an area known as The Fall Line. The undeveloped land between the canal
and the Savannah River rapids along the upper First Level has formed a wetland,
creating an urban wildlife refuge that is home to varied flora and fauna,
including several rare and endangered species.