Is the Erie Canal still open?
3 min read
Asked by: Jesse Harper
Is the Erie Canal still in use today?
Erie Canal Today
Portions of the original canal are still operable, though tourism is now the main source of boat traffic along the Erie Canal. Commercial and shipping traffic declined abruptly after the completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959.
Can you travel on the Erie Canal?
Welcome Boaters! The NYS Canal System is open from mid-May through mid-October, weather permitting. Cruise the historic and scenic waterway and you’ll discover scenic vistas, abundant wildlife, and unique communities where you’ll find amenities and numerous sites of interest.
When did the Erie Canal close?
The canal fostered a population surge in western New York and opened regions to settlement farther west. It was enlarged between 1834 and 1862.
| Erie Canal | |
|---|---|
| Date of first use | May 17, 1821 |
| Date completed | October 26, 1825 |
| Date restored | September 3, 1999 |
| Geography | |
Are the Erie Canal locks open?
The canal is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but many locks and lift bridges are open on demand until 10 p.m.
Is the Erie Canal Open 2021?
Boaters can travel along upstate New York’s most famous waterway this weekend. The Erie Canal’s 2021 navigation season kicked off Friday morning and will run through mid-October.
How deep is the Erie Canal 2021?
From Waterford, NY to Three Rivers Junction, project channel depths are 14 feet with 13 feet over the lock sills. Three Rivers Junction to Tonawanda, NY you have 12 feet in the channel and over the lock sills.
How much does it cost to go through the Erie Canal?
Recreational Permit Fees ( No Recreational Fees for 2018)
| Vessel Size | Seasonal Pass | Ten-Day Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft. (4.88 meters) | $25.00 | $12.50 |
| 16 ft. – Under 26 ft. (4.88 meters) – (7.93 meters) | $50.00 | $25.00 |
| 26 ft. – 39 ft. (7.93 meters) – (11.89 meters) | $75.00 | $37.50 |
| Over 39 ft. (11.89 meters) | $100.00 | $50.00 |
How deep is the Erie Canal today?
Fast Facts
| JUST THE FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Canal dimensions, 1862 Enlarged Erie | 7 ft deep x 70 ft wide; lock 110 ft long |
| Canal dimensions, 1918- present Erie Barge Canal | 12-23 ft deep x 120-200 ft wide; locks 310 ft long |
| Cost to build | $7,143,789 |
| Return on Investment | 10 years |
How big of a boat can go down the Erie Canal?
The largest vessels that can make the entire journey must be under 300 feet long, 43.5 feet wide, 9′ draft, and a maximum 15′ 6″ height above the water.
Why is Erie Canal empty?
The Erie Canal is drained every year to allow repairs and maintenance over the winter.
Is the Erie Canal open all year?
Operating Hours and Seasons
The canal is typically open from May 1 – November 15, weather depending. It is closed to boat traffic during the winter. The Erie Canalway Trail is open year-round for recreation.
How long does it take to travel the Erie Canal by boat?
One should budget a minimum of five (5) days to cruise between Albany and Buffalo on the Erie. (The Erie Canal begins at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers at Waterford, just north of Albany, and meets the Niagara River at Tonawanda/North Tonawanda, just north of Buffalo.)
Can you kayak the Erie Canal?
The NYS Canal System consists of more than 524-miles of interconnected canals, lakes, and rivers, including the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals. You can paddle all of it. Paddlers going from end to end of the Erie Canal typically plan 2.5 to 3 weeks to make the 338 mile journey.
Are there locks on the Erie Canal?
Lock. Locks are elevators for boats, lifting and lowering them as they travel along the waterway. Today, there are 57 locks on New York’s canal system, including 35 on the Erie Canal, 11 on the Champlain Canal, seven on the Oswego Canal, and four on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal.
