The Valley Canal in its current form was built in the period 1935-1941 as part of the job creation. This was partly to strengthen the Grebbe line, partly to improve the drainage of the Gelderse Vallei. However, parts of the canal have been around for much longer. The stretch between Rhenen and Veenendaal, for example, was dug in the Middle Ages and has since been known under the name Bisschop Davidsgrift or Grift for short. Near Woudenberg it partly follows the former course of the Lunterse Beek, to the east of Leusden the course of the Moorsterbeek and to the north of Leusden the Modderbeek. From the Luntersebeek at the Bruinenburgersluis to the Moorsterbeek, a new section of canal had to be dug, just as to the northeast of Amersfoort between the Barneveldse Beek and the Eem.