Media Advisory: Canal Boats Re-Floated at Waterford Dry Dock

On Thursday morning, April 21, more than a dozen vessels will be re-floated from their winter slumber atop berths at the New York State Canal Corporation dry dock in Waterford.

Beginning at 7:15 a.m., water valves will be opened at the top of the dry dock to allow water to flow into the massive 500' by 200' chamber, which will slowly fill and float the vessels off concrete and timber "chairs" that supported the vessels during the winter months.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., these vessels will begin to float. By about 9:15 a.m. the gates to the dry dock will be opened, and vessels will navigate out of the chamber into the outer maintenance harbor.

The Canal Corporation vessels will be preparing to head out on to the canal to set navigational aids in place, remove structures associated with winter maintenance work, begin dredging the navigation channel, and performing other tasks required for maintenance of the 524-mile Canal system. The Canal system is scheduled to re-open for the 187th consecutive navigation season on May 1, 2011, weather and water levels permitting.

Members of the media wishing to film this activity should contact Edward Surprenant, Waterford Canal Section Superintendent, at (518) 369-5773. For more information, contact the Office of Media Relations & Public Affairs at (518) 436-2983.

Directions to Waterford Dry Dock:

From Thruway Exit 23, take I-787 northbound to the end. Turn right onto Route 32 North. Continue into Waterford on Route 32 (Broad Street). Cross the Ninth Street Bridge over the Erie Canal.

Turn left into the Canal Corporation Section 2 Maintenance Facility. Stay to the right as the access road curves up to the dry dock area. Continue to the right behind the dry dock and park along the access road next to Erie Lock 3.

The street address for the Waterford Canal Maintenance Facility is 200 Davis Ave., Waterford.

-30-