Until the 1960s, there was the Vinnovka River here. Initially, the Rowing Canal (designed by A.S. Nikolsky, 1938) was supposed to be dug in a straight line from the Srednyaya Nevka near the stadium to the 2nd Elagin Bridge. The length of the canal was supposed to be 1.5-2 km. The construction of the canal was carried out in 1958-1960, but the work was suspended. In the mid-1960s, the construction of the canal was resumed, but along a slightly modified route: along the northern shore of Krestovsky Island along the bed of the Vinnovka River, separating Bychiy Island from Krestovsky. Rowing competitions and training are held on the Rowing Canal.

The length of the canal is about 1600 m.
Width - 40 m.