The Dalsland Canal Company having been formed, with the governor of the province, Count Sparre, as president, the directors in 1864 succeeded in engaging the assistance of the late Baron Nils Ericson, Colonel of Engineers. His plan to some extent varied from former projects, and comprised the following main conditions:—The construction of a canal at Hofverud, near Upperud, instead of a railway, so as to avoid unloading and reloading; a route from Las Lake, past the Billingsfors works to Leelângen; the adoption of the same dimensions for the whole length of the canal from Upperud to Stora Lee, viz., a depth of 5½ feet, a width of 13 feet at the bottom, and a length of 100 feet between the lock gates; and an increase in the number of locks between Lake Wenem and Stora Lee to twenty-five instead of fifteen, as proposed. The contract for constructing the canal according to this plan, including excavations round the fall at Hofverud and an aqueduct over the stream at that place, was taken at about 76,000_l._ sterling, raised chiefly by shares and, to some extent, by state subventions. It was stipulated that the dimensions of the canal should be such that vessels of 75 feet in length, 13 feet beam, and drawing 5 feet of water should be able to navigate it. Consequently the locks were mainly of the following dimensions:— Ft. In. Minimum length between the gates 100 0 ” width in the flood gate 14 0 ” depth of water on the sill 5 2 ” height of the gate wall over the sill 6 7 ” width of the sill 6 0 ” length of the gate wall 7 0 Radius of the sill and of the left wall 16 0 Length of gate recess 17 0 Radius 50 0 Slope of the lock chamber sides 5 to 1. Versed sine of the exterior of the inner wall 2 0 ” ” outer ” 3 0 The gate-walls and recesses were all constructed with Wargo cement. The sides of the lock-chambers are of masonry in cement, supported by an earthen embankment. The gates are single, and have wooden bolts; the sills are formed of wooden beams 10 inches by 12 inches. Timber drawbridges are employed throughout, placed in front of a lock immediately before the recess or entrance. The canal is of the following dimensions:— Ft. In. Minimum width at bottom 13 0 ” depth 5 6 Height of the bank above water level 2 0 Width of the bank at top 8 0 ” towing path 5 0