In this ever changing world, most situations take on new directions. The fact that I have devoted one page for this canal reveals  images of those early trips are fond memories. Ambience while on the canal as compared to what we knew  is a day and night situation. Overall depth is undetectable but definitely appears deeper. 

From this look of this scene, you will concur that a situation where the passengers assist in pushing the boat over shallow stream is a scene of the past. The overhanging branches and thick bushes of trees replaced with that of creepers

An occasional dark patch, notice that the background behind that stretch is not a forest, denude of trees too. So this "left over"  is nothing but a momentary curtain on your river journey.

The entire length of the canal filled with sun shine and brightness. Don't forget your hat and sun glasses. The vegetation, more predictable scrubs rather than a mixture of canes and dangling roots.

An uniformed greens shaping the canal scene. Here is a view of that canal slithering through a cleared jungle like a garden path.

There is none, as the lake is situated in a flat land and over the years, due to lack of control, livestock  of fishes in the lake was slowly depleted.

No more darkness and unknown - once more the ratio of shaded portion with bright open sunshine. 

Hope the scenes help to dispel any apprehensions you may have about making that trip to the unknown