The original Shinnecock Canal was dug in 1892. To alleviate tidal differences of 3 feet (0.91 m) and more between Peconic Bay to the north and Shinnecock Bay, construction of "tide gates" and bulkheading (not a canal lock as exists today [further explanation needed]) began in 1918. This did not alleviate the difference in elevation between the canal's two ends but sought to mitigate it. Another effect of this as found in the records of the New York State Salt Water Bays Commission was the water level of Shinnecock Bay was raised by one foot.
The canal varies in width from 100 to 180 feet (30 to 55 m). The lock is 41 feet (12 m) wide and 250 feet (76 m) long. The lowest bridge is the fixed railroad bridge, with a height of 22 feet (6.7 m) vertical clearance above the water. The highway bridges have 23 feet (7.0 m) and 25 feet (7.6 m), respectively.
The lock system now is the only navigation lock operating on Long Island. The lock increased the salinity levels in Shinnecock Bay which had nearly assumed fresh water proportions and was resulting in a dying off of its shellfish population even though it was separated from the Atlantic by a narrow barrier island. Shinnecock Bay's salinity levels were solidified during Great Hurricane of 1938 which broke through the barrier island to form Shinnecock Inlet almost due south of the canal. The new inlet has created a shortcut to the Atlantic that is now used by 27,000 boats per year.
The name Canoe Place comes from the Indian word "Niamuck", which described a canoe portage between the two bays.[citation needed] This portage indicates that there was no viable water connection between them. There is no evidence that the Montauketts or Shinnecocks dug a canal, together or separately.
