Series of rivers and canals, Russia, in Europe.
The navigable system links the Volga River with the Baltic Sea . It includes the Neva River , a canal along the southern shore of Lake Ladoga , and the Sheksna River past Cherepovets through the Rybinsk Reservoir . Its total length is about 700 mi (1,100 km). The system was completed in 1964, replacing the antiquated Mariinsk Canal system using the same route, which was constructed originally in the 18th century and later several times enlarged and improved. The system consists of seven automatic locks.