FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2007
Canal Corporation Announces Revision to Projected Closing Date
Persistent Dry Weather Forces Earlier Closing Date
The Canal Corporation announced today that the projected closing date on the
New York State Canal System to recreational traffic is Thursday, November 1,
2007, and to commercial traffic Wednesday, November 7, 2007, a week ahead of the
originally scheduled closing date of Thursday, November 15, 2007.
These measures are necessary due to the persistent drought conditions in the
Mohawk Valley.
Should additional rainfall occur, these projected closing dates may be modified.
The Canal Corporation has implemented several water conservation measures in
order to preserve health and public safety interests, while still maximizing to
the extent possible the economic and recreational benefits of the Canal System.
The Corporation is taking several steps so as to provide several weeks notice to
those who may have been planning a trip along the Canal later next month.
During the past three months, precipitation in the Mohawk Valley has been more
than 12 inches below normal.
In order to conserve water, the Canal Corporation enacted hourly lockings for
recreational vessels from Lock E-20 in Marcy (Oneida County) to Lock E-7 in
Niskayuna (Schenectady County) on Tuesday, September 18, 2007.
In addition, the Canal Corporation took the unprecedented step of discontinuing
diversion of water from Hinckley Reservoir for navigation purposes. Due to the
reduction of outflow from Hinckley Reservoir, the Canal Corporation began
drawing water from the following reservoirs: Kayuta Lake in Oneida County, South
Lake, North Lake, Sand Lake and Woodhull Lake Reservoirs in Herkimer County in
order to maintain navigation on the Canal System.
The Canal Corporation continues to work closely with State Emergency Management
Office, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health, New York
Power Authority, Mohawk Valley Water Authority, and local officials to
coordinate actions during this dry weather.
For more information about news and attractions along the Canal System, visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.
The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation’s website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign up for Thruway TRANSalerts, please visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.