Canal open for business

Boaters and visitors to the historic New York State Canal System may enjoy two additional hours of Canal cruising this year. Scheduled to open today, May 1, the State took advangtage of the beautiful spring weather, and opened last Friday instead.

This year, the state has suspended user fees.

The dates and hours of Canal operation are:

• Now to May 14, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• May 15 to September 15, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• September 16 to November 15, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Canal Corporation will continue to provide 24-hour lock service to commercial operators, pending the availability of lock personnel.

Hours and season dates continue a trend toward a longer navigation season, with better hours for boaters. As recently as 2002 and 2003, the length of the Canal season had been reduced to 182 days.

This year's season will be 199 days, with longer hours in the springtime. Additional extensions may be considered if usage trends warrant. www.canals.state.ny.us

The 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.

top of page

Copyright © 2006
Courier-Gazette, 613 S. Main St. Newark, N.Y. 14513 - 315-331-1000
All Rights Reserved