The canal was laid out in 1338, and built in the years 1348 to 1356 by the Teutonic Knights. The idea of the implementation of this structure is commonly ascribed to the commander of the Gdansk and subsequently Grand Master of the Teutonic Order Winrich von Kniprode, but the real initiator of the construction was another commander of Gdansk (from the years 1333-1334), Jordan von Vehren. The channel was intended primarily for the supply of fresh drinking water for Gdansk and the local castle of the Teutonic Knights, as well as a drive to Great Mill.