When it opened on 22 February 1819 a general holiday was called and crowds of spectators, reportedly 60,000, gathered to watch the first boats, a flotilla of 10 arrive from Tinsley.
Nowadays it is a place to escape city life, enjoy a barging holiday or spot of fishing. We have dug out 20 great pictures from the archive showing the people who give the canals its character.
Want more Sheffield retro? Meadowhall shoppers, Read how Sheffield’s weather station played a vital role in WW2
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17. Novelist with book
A reflective Danuta Reah with her novel Bleak Water which is set on Sheffield's Canal, pictured in 2002 Photo: DEAN ATKINS
18. Day on the boats
People with learning difficulties at Sheffield and Tinsley Canal. l/r: Dawn Ashton, Andrew Allen, Robert Johnson, Carol-Ann Rudge, Paul Mawer and Day Service assistant Jeanette shaw with the narrow boat, 'Naburn' in 2002 Photo: Roger Nadal
19. Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon Boat Racing, Barnby Dunn Canal The Asda boat team hard at work in 2003 Photo: Steve Ellis
20. Working hard
Dragon Boat Racing,Barnby Dunn Canal The Submariners beating Asda in 2003 Photo: Steve Ellis