AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Augusta Utilities Department has informed the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area that the waterway of the Augusta Canal will be open Friday, May 23rd, through Monday, May 26th, for Memorial Day Weekend.

While the Augusta Canal towpath and walking trail from Savannah Rapids Pavilion to the Augusta Raw Water Pumping Station remains closed, the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area is encouraging the public to help support Savannah Rapids Kayak Rental during this brief window of access to the canal waterway.

Savannah Rapids Kayak Rentals has several trips that can be booked between Friday and Monday in which to paddle the Augusta Canal while open.

As of May 20th, according to Augusta Utilities, contractors have completed one way up the towpath along the river side of the towpath and now have to come back down the canal side. This includes removing trees, then root balls – then repairs have to be made to the holes in the bank before it will be safe to open. The completion is still to be determined.