Ways of inland navigation (6)

I believe the answer is:

canals

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'ways' is the definition.
(canal is a kind of way)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for canals that I've seen before include "Artificial water channels" , "Man-made waterways" , "Artificial waterways" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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