There are many canals like this in France and Europe: one huge engineering feat was for example the "Canal du Midi" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_du_Midi) + "Canal latéral à la Garonne" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_Latéral_de_la_Garonne): which together connect the Atlantic ocean with the mediterranean in the south of France, without going around Spain or through some dangerous rivers. They were built in 16xx and 18xx!
And connecting these two was particularly difficult because they had to find a source of water big enough and high enough to provide water to both.
And connecting these two was particularly difficult because they had to find a source of water big enough and high enough to provide water to both.