most canals have locks for the water at various chambers is not the same level. SO, if one were to get inovative add a water turbine so as the lock fills it spins the turbine and poof you have power.
I saw a program years ago on the panama canal, and to move the lock doors it took a 4 horse power engine. As for the silting issue, that is where your slaves come into use, or prisoners, and most likely that muck and silt would make some wonderful soil for crops.
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