Final answer:
Connecticut Colony benefitted from its waterways by developing a maritime-based economy and trade network, that also supported industrial activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Connecticut Colony's access to waterways supported a robust maritime-based economy. Due to the proximity of natural ports and rivers, the colony thrived on trade, with New England mariners operating oceangoing ships that transported goods like tobacco and sugar throughout the Atlantic World. The waterways were essential not only for trade but also for the operation of mills and other industrial establishments during the early Industrial Revolution, where water power was a primary source of energy.
Connecticut's reliance on its aquatic resources reflected the interconnectedness of trade, industry, and geographical advantages, contributing to the colony's prosperity in the evolving landscape of colonial America.