FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2006
CANAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES LOCK OPENINGS ON THE ERIE, OSWEGO AND CAYUGA-SENECA CANALS
Several Locks in Mohawk Valley Closed Since June 29 to Resume Operations
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, announced today the opening of several sections of the historic Canal System, including a large portion of the most heavily damaged section of the Erie Canal along the Mohawk River that was hit hard by record rainfall and severe flooding in late June 2006.
Director Mantello announced that Lock E-11 in Amsterdam through Lock E-16 in St. Johnsville will reopen at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 22.
“By the end of this weekend, the entire Canal System, with the exception of the area surrounding heavily-damaged Lock E-10 in Cranesville will be open and ready for business,” Director Mantello said. “Today’s announcement was made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of Canal Corporation employees who have worked around the clock for weeks clearing debris, restoring power and resetting buoys to restore operations,” Director Mantello said. “While many of our lock sites are still heavily damaged and much work remains, we are proud to once again welcome boaters through these locks so that they can visit canal-side communities, shop at local businesses and experience the many attractions along this bucolic section of one of America’s most storied waterways.”
In addition, the Canal Corporation has opened the entire Oswego Canal and the Erie Canal from Lock E-23 in Brewerton to Lock E-24 in Baldwinsville, as well as the Cayuga-Seneca Canal from CS-1 to the Cayuga-Seneca junction and the Erie Canal from the Cayuga-Seneca junction to Lock E-25. Vessels can now travel directly between Lock CS-1 on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and Lock E-25 on the Erie Canal.
Lock E-24 is open to eastbound traffic only as the waterway between Baldwinsville and the Cayuga-Seneca junction remains closed due to submerged hazards and the potential for property damage from vessel wakes. This section is expected to re-open as early as 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 22 if water levels continue to recede.
The Canal Corporation is working closely with local law enforcement to ensure that boaters and residents along the Canal System are safe and heeding local advisories.
“This is a complex waterway and the Oswego River Basin itself fills quickly and drains slowly, compounding the problem,” Mantello said. “While the waters receded we had our people out there re-setting buoys, clearing debris, and getting ready to open. They’ve done a great job and barring any additional rainfall, it will be a great weekend for boating on the Canal System.”
Due to ongoing rehabilitation work at Lock E-10 in Cranesville, the Erie Canal from Lock E-9 through Lock E-11 is expected to remain closed for another 4-6 weeks.
The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.
For more information about news and events along the New York State Canal System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.state.ny.us.