Construction of the canal was completed on October 22, 1730, and in spring 1731 the first boats were able to sail along the canal between the Volkhov River and the Neva River (Ladoga Canal proper).
Bygningen af kanalen blev fuldført i 1730, og i foråret 1731 kunne de første både sejle gennem kanalen mellem floderne Volkhov og Neva (den egentlige Ladogakanal).