New York Canals Fully Operational This Weekend

The entire New York State Canal system is expected to be opened to navigation at 7 a.m. Sunday, June 5, 2011, the New York State Canal Corporation announced today.

High waters and swift currents had delayed the opening of some segments of the 534-mile-long canal system that spans Upstate New York.

Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, "It's terrific news that the entire system will be opened for this first weekend in June when Canal communities typically begin to experience the seasonal economic impact that is so vital for jobs and growth in upstate New York."

The final segments to open are the section of the Erie Canal from Lock 24 at Baldwinsville, Onondaga County, to Lock 26 in Clyde, Wayne County, and Lock CS-1 that connects the Cayuga-Seneca Canal to the Erie Canal in the Finger Lakes region.

As the high waters receded and safety conditions improved, various sections of the Canal system had been opened over the past few weeks.

Mariners are advised to use caution because some buoys and other navigation aids may have been moved off station because of the fast running water. Floating debris also could cause a hazard. Some overhead clearances may be reduced because of the high water.

As always, boaters are reminded to always wear or have nearby personal flotation devices.

Heavy Spring rains and the melt from a deep winter snow pack had resulted in high water and excessive flows that stalled the placement of necessary navigation guides.

Updated information on Canal conditions is available via the "Notice to Mariners" service. Please see the weblink http://www.canals.ny.gov/news/notices/index.shtml . You may subscribe for free by calling (518) 471-5016.

Real-time updates also are available through free subscription to Canals TRANSAlert at the weblink http://www.canals.ny.gov/tas/index.html . You may select the times and locations you wish to monitor.

By telephone you can get updated information by calling 1-800-4CANAL4 (choose prompt 3).

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The 524-mile-long 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.

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