Sights Along the Erie Canal

The storms that passed through Oneida County, NY a week ago today were extraordinary and sadly claimed three lives.  Parts of the county saw 3.4 inches of intense rain over a two hour period followed by very high winds and a tornado, which led to power outages, flooding, Oneida Lake evacuation orders, fallen trees, etc.  Once the news reports started coming out, we understood why the Erie Canal was officially closed from Sunday - Thursday between locks 16 - 22.  We were fortunate to be just outside of the zone when the storms passed through.  Once the canal engineer gave us the green light to start moving on Wednesday, we have been on the move every day.  Over the past four days, we have covered 167 statue miles and completed 14 locks.  The sights are sometimes very interesting and sometimes the canal can be quite mundane.

ERIE CANAL - DAY #3

We had an incredible boating day last Wednesday.  The locks open at 8am and we've now learned that everyone is in a big rush, causing congestion and stress while locking.  We waited until almost 11:00am to depart Little Falls and we were the ONLY boat in the five locks we navigated (Locks 18 - 22).  So far we have been "locking up" as we've moved west.  Locks 21, 22 and 23, are the only "lock down" chambers for westbound vessels.    Locks 18-20 raised us 57' and then Locks 21 & 22 lowered us 50'.

We arrived at Sylvan Beach just before 7:00pm, having covered 49 statute miles.  We did see a lot of debris along the way.  The New York Canal System is working non-stop to ensure the canals all stay safe for navigation and keep controlling depths stable.  We did have one area right after lock 19 with a depth of 5'3" and our captain navigated the area expertly.  One sailing vessel arranged for Towboat to tow them through that section safely the day after we passed through.

Captain Bert ready to lock up

Captain Bert at the top of the lock

Many of the locks have the historical tugs on display.  They are painted blue and gold, the colors of the Erie Canal system.  Once such tug, Urger, was a floating museum and classroom.  Many of these tugs were built before 1940, and the worker's dedication to upkeep and use highlights the enduring legacy of the Erie Canal and its continuous operation for 200 years.

One of the historic Erie Canal Tugs on Display

In addition to the locks, there are also guard gates that are used to control water along the canal.  This particular guard gate is a double and one side is up, for navigation, and one side is down.   We have seen doubles with both sides open as well as singles.  The equipment along the Erie Canal is an engineering wonder.

Guard Gate along the Erie Canal.
One side open, one side closed.

ERIE CANAL - DAY #4

Day #4 was a planned short 20 mile day in which we crossed Lake Oneida from Sylvan Beach to Brewerton, arriving before noon.  We used the afternoon to wash MMS and prepare MMS for the forthcoming low bridges on the western end of the Erie Canal.  The lowest bridge is 15' and after stepping down the radar arch and removing the bimini on the  bridge, we are 13'3".  MMS will be topless for the remainder of the Erie Canal.  Once we arrive in Buffalo we will put the bimini back on and raise the radar arch.

Topless MMS
Ready for low bridges

Topless MMS
Ready for low bridges

We stayed at Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton and the HarborMaster, Leslie, had fresh baked goods for the boaters in the morning and also had an afternoon snack.  Blondie brownies the day of our arrival and cranberry/blueberry cake the morning of our departure.  The cake was still warm out of the oven. Winter Harbor Marina also made challenge coins to commemorate this very special 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.

Challenge Coin 
A gift from Winter Harbor Marina

Challenge Coin
Celebrating 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal

ERIE CANAL - DAY #5

Day #5 was a long 9 hour day.  We completed five more locks (23 - 27) and 60 statute miles.  Lock 23 was the last down lock when headed westbound at 7'.  Locks 24-27 took us up a total of 35'.   It was on this day that we crossed the turn off for the Oswego Canal to the north and the Cayuga-Seneca Canal to the south.  The majority of the vessels head north up the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario / Canada.  Many cannot clear the 15' bridge restrictions on the Erie Canal and are forced to take Oswego.  The Cayuga-Seneca canal allows access to the New York finger lakes, a side trip for some Loopers.  

After being with many Looper boats, now we know of just 2 or 3 in the area.  Dockage is plentiful for the remainder of the Erie Canal segment of our trip.  If you are wondering about the three down locks, they are for the area around Lake Oneida and the cut off to Oswego.  Once past the Oswego turn, the remainder of the locks will be up all the way to Buffalo. 

Split in the River
Turn North for Oswego or continue West for Buffalo

We saw quite a few interesting sights along the way including a camel and an oversized fishing pole.  There were also lots of very nice homes to look at from the waterway.

Camel on the Erie Canal

Oversized fishing pole, complete with bobber and mug of beer to the left.

We also saw more of the deep history of the canal.  We passed the remains of the Richmond Aqueduct.  This is a well preserved example of the old Erie Canal water bridge, one of the longest on the Erie Canal.

Richmond Aqueduct on the Erie Canal

We ended our day in the Village of Clyde on a free wall, with a 110 electrical outlet, a first for us on the trip.  After a 9 hour day of driving, our Captain had to do an additional hour of work to get the 110 power connected.  

Our Captain worked on 110 power for us.

All in all, it was another good day and we are happy.  The route was quite windy today and for a bit we were going the complete wrong direction, southeast.  

60 miles on the Erie Canal today

ERIE CANAL - DAY #6

Yesterday (Saturday) was a shorter day for us.  We covered another five locks (27 - 30, including 28A & 28B) which raised us up a total of 76' and completed another 35 statue miles.   We are in Fairport, NY and in another 2-3 days we hope to arrive in Buffalo.

Below are some sights along the way.   We also saw a bald eagle and a deer wading at the edge of the canal, but we were not quick enough with the camera.

Many miles of the Erie Canal are wooded on both sides.
The canal can be mundane in sections.

Rented vessel to traverse the Erie Canal.

The towns along the western Erie Canal cater to the Looper boats.  Lyons, NY, even had a welcome sign at one of the locks.  Lyons also had some beautiful murals that can only be enjoyed from the water.

Lyons, NY welcome sign for Loopers

Bridge Mural in Lyon, NY

Bridge Mural in Lyon, NY

Bridge Mural in Lyon, NY

Bridge Mural in Lyon, NY

Upon our mid-afternoon arrival in Fairport, NY, we were able to get off the boat and walk around and be a part of society for the first time in several days.  It was a nice afternoon.

Mini Tugboat in Fairport, NY

The locks are much farther apart for the remainder of the Erie canal.  However, beginning today, we start moving through a series of 16 lift bridges which require us to request an opening.  Our understanding is our pace may slow down and we may have to wait as depending on staffing, the bridge tenders may have to drive from one bridge to the next to facilitate the opening for us to pass through.