The Damnoen Saduak Canal was excavated by manual labors by the order of King Rama IV (Phra Chom Klao) in the year 1866 and completed in the year 1868. The original objectives were to become the communication link and transportation of agricultural products (another canal, Phasi Charoen Canal, was excavated in the same period to link Tha Chin River to Chao Phraya River and Bangkok). The canal was also used for providing drinking water and supplying water to the rice field.

Around 1903, the priority for irrigation was given and accordingly it was decided that existing canals should be improved and locks had to be installed to separate the major canals from the river and the sea.

In 1904 Damnoen Saduak canal was rehabilitated with Bang Nok Khwaek lock constructed on the Mae Klong River side while Bang Yang lock (dismantled) on Tha Chin River side. Later on in 1929

regulators were added to the locks to improve water level control for agriculture. 

The Damnoen Saduak Canal was and still is the important canal that bring prosperity to the region that rely mainly on agriculture. Although the benefit from communication purpose is less now that roads system provides more convenient alternative, but the canal become significant in providing irrigation water to the fruit orchards, and other kind of agriculture, and also providing water to safeguard against salt water intrusion into agricultural land. It is also the major water supply to many provinces and cities. The beautiful orchards and nearby water-market make the area to be a well known tourist spot too.

The canal was completed in 1868 and becomes 155 years old in the year 2023. It is still in very good condition and fully function as it was originally planned. The Damnoen Saduak Canal is now functioning as when it was originally planned. The canal is still in good shape and can carry water for irrigating of the project area which increase in value due to increase in area of higher value fruit orchards, vegetable farming, fish ponds and shrimp ponds. The canal is also the source of water for the water-supply works of many municipalities, cities and communities. The canal attracts a lot of tourists to the beautiful landscapes of orchards and floating market.

The Damnoen Saduak Canal is now functioning as when it was originally planned. The canal is still in good shape and can carry water for irrigating of the project area which increase in value due to increase in area of higher value fruit orchards, vegetable farming, fish ponds and shrimp ponds. The canal is also the source of water for the water-supply works of many municipalities, cities and communities. The canal attracts a lot of tourists to the beautiful landscapes of orchards and floating market.

Damnoen Saduak Canal is in good working condition because it is part of the ongoing irrigation project to irrigate important fruit orchard growing area. The structures are suitable for present operation of the project. The problem of flooding is deal with by reduction of the water level prior to coming flood. The more frequent problem is the salt water encroachment in the dry season where water has to be released to safeguard the valuable orchard area. Additional water may have to be provided to the project, for this purpose and for dilution of waste water from the much larger irrigation project, the Greater Mae Klong Project.