Recent heavy rains have caused major damage to a retaining wall along the to path of the Lehigh Canal in Weissport.

Most of the damage happened during a storm on Saturday, but more damage was reported from the heavy rain on Monday.Gene Kershner, president of Weissport Borough Council, said about 20-25 feet of the wall was split with a gash about 4 inches wide.In addition, he said, the stone wall is tilted so precariously that he is concerned it could fall into the canal.Council members said they feel that recent heavy rain combined with vibration from passing trains on the nearby Norfolk Southern railroad tracks weakened the wall.The damage to the wall was first reported to council member Gregory May.May said he notified Dennis Bauchspies of the Lehigh Canal Recreation Commission.The commission owns and maintains the canal and towpath. It consists of municipalities whose land borders the canal: Weissport, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, East Penn Township, Mahoning Township, Parryville and Bowmanstown.Kershner and council member Arland Moyer placed yellow caution tape and cones around the damaged wall.Besides a gaping, vertical crack along the length of the wall section, the stones also are pulling away from the macadam pedestrian area where a bench is located. The bench lets people sit and feed ducks or merely enjoy the tranquility of the canal.There are several such retaining walls along the Weissport section of the canal. The one closest to the Bridge Street entrance is where the damage occurred.