The Strömsholm Canal () runs from Smedjebacken to Lake Mälaren near Strömsholm. It is long with 26 locks, and consists of a string of lakes connected by short manmade cuts. The canal took 18 years to build, between 1772 and 1795, to plans laid out by Johan Ullström. The main reason for it was the transport of iron produced by the many steelworks sited along the length of the waterway. The opening of the Stockholm Wästerås-Bergslagen railway marked the beginning of its decline and today the restored canal is only used by pleasure craft. Gallery Bibliography McKnight, Hugh, The Guinness Guide to Waterways of Western Europe, Guinness (1978) External links Strömsholm canal - Official site Canals in Sweden Norrström basin Canals opened in 1795