Letter: An Erie Canal for the West? Why not?

The Erie Canal — 363 miles long, eight years under construction — was completed in 1825, linking the Great Lakes to the Hudson River at a cost of $7 million.

Its success exceeded all expectations, profitably connecting western waterways with the Atlantic Ocean.

Before Lake Meade runs dry and western states revive the “Dust Bowl” of the 1930s, why not attempt a canal that will connect Canada and parts of the northern U.S. to the Colorado River?

With today's methodology and the advancements of civil engineering over the past 197 years, why not? This nation's wealth and modern equipment can improve not only the lives of people in the West but essentially guarantee the perpetuation of agriculture that's needed throughout the country.

At least we might be able to defer some of the ravaging effects of climate change until there is no more tomorrow.

James D. Cook

Schaumburg