Persistent dry weather forces earlier closing date for Erie Canal

Persistent dry weather forces
earlier closing date for Erie Canal

The Canal Corporation reported that the projected closing date on the New York State Canal System to recreational traffic is Thursday, November 1 and to commercial traffic Wednesday, November 7, a week ahead of the originally scheduled closing date of Thursday, November 15.

These measures are necessary due to the persistent drought conditions in the Mohawk Valley, representatives said.

Should additional rainfall occur, these projected closing dates may be modified.

The Canal Corporation has implemented 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.

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.

Visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL-4 for information.