FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2006
GOVERNOR VISITS DEVASTATED CANAL SITE, ISSUES UPDATE ON REPAIRS TO MAJOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY SEVERE FLOODING
New York’s Canal System Crippled by Record Flooding
Governor George E. Pataki today surveyed the major devastation on the Erie Canal at Lock E-10 in Cranesville, Montgomery County, NY, one of seven locks severely impacted by the heavy flooding this past week. Though Governor Pataki visited the area most ravaged by the flood, much of the New York State Canal System has experienced record flood levels, forcing the closure of 45 of the System’s 57 locks along 297 miles of the 524 mile waterway during the worst of the flooding.
“The Canal System was designed and built to withstand extreme weather events,” Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello said, “but the last few days have redefined just what extreme is. Simply put, this was a catastrophic event, and we’re thankful that none of our boaters or employees lost their lives during the flood or the response. The flooding happened at the height of our season and we will do everything in our power to cleanup and rebuild so we can get people on their way and communities can continue to benefit from the Canal.””
Portions of the Erie Canal and the entire Oswego Canal and the entire Champlain Canal are expected to open in time for the upcoming weekend, barring additional rainfall. This will allow some vessels the ability to transit between the Hudson River and the Great Lakes.
Due to its disproportionate amount of damage, the Mohawk River section of the Erie Canal is likely to remain closed for several weeks, specifically Lock 10 in Cranesville, Montgomery County, NY. Restoration of the infrastructure at this location is likely to take 2 months. The estimated time for this restoration project comes as a major blow not only to the Canal Corporation during the height of its summer recreational boating season, but also to the communities that depend on the canal system as an economic engine.
Motorized and non-motorized boating on the closed portions of the Canal – even between the locks – is strictly prohibited. Additionally, swimming and water-sport activities such as waterskiing and tubing should be avoided in the Mohawk River section of the Erie Canal even as certain sections of the waterway re-open, due to unknown contaminants and heavy debris in the water.
The New York State Canal Corporation is working closely with the State Emergency Management Office, the New York State Thruway Authority, the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, utility companies, and private contractors relative to ongoing recovery operations. Canal Corporation personnel are working around the clock to build access roads which have been washed out, assess damage, and clear debris at locks and dams along the Mohawk River where the most severe flooding occurred. As water levels continue to recede, a complete assessment of the extent of the damage at these locations will be conducted.
The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation has declared a Transportation Emergency which will facilitate the letting of emergency contracts for capital work and materials procurement and help speed up cleanup efforts and repairs. Much of the rebuilding will be handled by independent contractors with specialized equipment.
Canal Corporation personnel have been working nonstop throughout the flood and since waters began receding. The most critical task at hand is removing debris from the moveable dams along the Mohawk River so that gates can be lowered into position. In addition, Canal Corporation employees have been assisting boaters aboard the more than 35 boats which remain stranded at various Canal locks and terminal walls.
The latest Canal conditions and re-opening schedules will be available by calling 1-800-4CANAL4.
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NOTE TO MEDIA: Media interested in scheduling an interview with the Canal Corporation’s Director Carmella R. Mantello should call Erin Agans, with the Canal Corporation at 518-265-9079.