A view of the Marsh Canal looking north from the 5th line bridge.

List of documents donated by Art Janse that relate to the Holland Marsh Scheme

General account notes and calculations relating to the Holland Marsh Drainage Scheme, c. 1926.

Account statements and bills in relation to the Holland Marsh drainage scheme, c. 1926. Includes a receipt from Professor William H. Day for $3.00, made out to Jack Armstrong.

Costs for Bradford drainage scheme, dated 1928. Includes account statements and cheque information.

Motion made by Bradford Council to instruct George McCubbin to examine the Bradford drainage scheme and report on it, dated October 12, 1929.

A Keuffel & Esser level that was used for activities such as surveying. It was originally owned by Professor William H. Day, who was integral to the Holland Marsh Drainage Scheme's beginnings. The survey of the marsh determined the elevation of the muck soil and the bordering "highland" soils, providing the information the planners would need to determine the grades, estimate the materials to be moved and to determine the alignment of the canal.

The drainage scheme report came out in 1924 and work began in the mid-1920s. The work involved intercepting part of the Holland River and the diversion of water around the perimeter of the area using drainage canals. Canal excavation materials were used to create dykes on the to-be reclaimed (marshland) side of the canals. The re-claimed land was used for farming and roads were constructed on top of the dykes to allow for transportation.