Most of the workers were Irish immigrants. They were paid 80 cents an hour and worked 10 -12 hours a day. They used picks and shovels to dig the canal. The idea was first proposed in 1807 but the construction didn't start until July 4,1817 and was completed on October 26,1825.
Governor DeWitt Clinton of New York, opened the canal on October 26,1825. Even though the canal wasn't finished until 1825 they started using it on May 17, 1821.