FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2006
STRANDED BOATERS IN CANAJOHARIE TO FINALLY SET SAIL
NYS Canal Corporation to Escort Stranded Boaters Out of Flood Damaged Area
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, today announced that the 11 boaters stranded in Canajoharie since record floodwaters struck the Mohawk Valley two weeks ago will set sail tomorrow, Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 9:00 a.m., and resume their trips along the historic waterway.
“We were happy to have these wonderful folks spend a little extra time with us, but even happier to see them on their way,” Director Mantello said. “It’s been quite an ordeal for these boaters and through it all they have been patient and extremely understanding. We wish all of the boaters well as they continue their journey and know that they will find the same generosity and kindness in each of the communities they visit along our incredible Canal System. We look forward to welcoming them back to the canal in future years.”
Village of Canajoharie Mayor Ronald O. Dievendorf said, “The speed with which the floodwaters rose that morning two weeks ago caught residents, businesses and boaters by surprise. Evacuated from their craft, these travelers have been marooned here since that day and have become a familiar part of our community. They have received our Mohawk Valley hospitality and in return they have helped clean the waterfront of debris, volunteered at the library, and on the day of the church fire, they distributed towels and washcloths to our firefighters. So now, we wish them safe journeys with the hope that they will fondly remember their sojourn in Canajoharie during the flood of 2006.”
Jim Cobb, one of the stranded boaters and a spokesman for the group, said, “This has been an experience we’ll never forget, but it has not been a negative experience. The kindness we’ve been shown here in Canajoharie, and the response and communication from the Canal Corporation, has been unbelievable. Every one of us is looking forward to our next Canal trip.”
With navigational pool levels mostly restored in the area, the vessels will have sufficient drafts under the hulls to make the trip. However, a Canal Corporation maintenance vessel will escort the vessels through the area due to missing buoys and shoaling which could make navigation difficult.
Upon departing from Canajoharie, the boaters will proceed to Lock E-16 in St. Johnsville for fueling. Most of the vessels will then continue on to the Little Falls Canal Harbor for the evening.
The Erie Canal remains closed from Lock E-9 in Rotterdam Junction,
Schenectady County, to Lock E-15 in Fort Plain, Montgomery County as a result of
severe flooding along the Mohawk River that occurred in late June. Locks E-9 to
E-15 are expected to be closed for up to one week. Due to heavy damage and
ongoing repair work, Lock 10 in Cranesville, Montgomery County will likely be
closed for up to seven weeks.
Due to heavy rainfall in the Central New York region, the Erie Canal also has been closed from Lock E-17 in Little Falls, Herkimer County, to Lock E-27 in Lyons, Wayne County as of Thursday, July 13, 2006. Also, the entire Oswego Canal and the Cayuga-Seneca Canal at Lock C/S-1 are closed due to high water. These locks are expected to re-open within five to seven days.
“Canal Corporation folks have been working around the clock assessing the damage, clearing debris, and restoring power to ensure that the entire Canal System is ready to re-open in time for Labor Day,” Director Mantello added.
For more information about the New York State Canal System and the most up-to-date conditions, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.state.ny.us and click on News and then Notice to Mariners.