FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2006
UPDATED MEDIA ADVISORY
Additional Closures on NYS Canal System Due to High Water Levels
The New York State Canal Corporation has announced additional closures on the Canal System due to high water levels. The Erie Canal is now closed from Lock E-2 in Waterford to Lock E-26 in Clyde, Wayne County. The entire Champlain Canal remains closed. In addition, the entire Oswego Canal and Lock CS-1 on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal have been closed. The additional closures are necessary due to rising waters as the result of more than one to two inches of rainfall in Central New York overnight.
Severe flooding has resulted in waters rising above many Canal navigation locks along the Mohawk River.
Closures are expected to remain in effect at least through the weekend.
Currently, 35 private vessels are moored in locks or at terminal walls on the eastern portion of the Erie Canal. Canal Corporation staff will monitor these vessels and assist boaters as water levels recede.
The National Weather Service has forecast that water levels on the Mohawk River have crested or are near crest level as of 8 a.m. this morning. Water levels in some areas are expected to continue to rise today. Similar conditions exist on the Hudson River, with levels at or near crest level in Fort Edward and Waterford. The Sacandaga River is expected to crest on Saturday morning above record flood stage which will keep water levels high in the upper Hudson River for an extended period of time.
Presently, the Canal remains open west of Lock E-26 to Tonawanda, as well as Lock CS-2, CS-3 and CS-4 of the Cayuga/Seneca Canal.
Further updates and information are available by monitoring 1-800-4CANAL4 or visiting www.canals.state.ny.us and clicking on News and then Notice to Mariners.
-30-