The Erie Canal was a 363-mile canal constructed in New York between 1817 and 1825. It connected the Hudson River at Albany to Lake Erie at Buffalo, opening up New York's trade and migration routes. The canal was 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep, allowing boats to transport goods and people across New York. It played a major role in New York's economic success and prosperity in the 19th century by facilitating transportation and migration along its route.