George Eastman's house (Kodak) in Rochester, a main port on the old canal The Eastman House is now a museum
that displays Kodak memorabilia and photo exhibitions.
that displays Kodak memorabilia and photo exhibitions.
The once prosperous industrial towns along
the Erie Canal now host pleasure boats
making the passage between the sea and the
Great Lakes.
the Erie Canal now host pleasure boats
making the passage between the sea and the
Great Lakes.
a rail line and trolley once used the old
towpath near Schenectady that is now a
paved bike and walking trail
towpath near Schenectady that is now a
paved bike and walking trail
The sections of the Erie Canal on
the eastern end use the Mohawk
River for navigation and to
replenish water in the locks. Long
bike and walking trails follow the
river near Schenectady
the eastern end use the Mohawk
River for navigation and to
replenish water in the locks. Long
bike and walking trails follow the
river near Schenectady
As steam power
became common
became popular,
larger boats with
increased cargo
capacity were an
option for canal
traffic. The small
locks from
original canal of
1825 were
abandoned to
become town
parks, walking
trails, and part of
the heritage of
the many canal
villages.
became common
became popular,
larger boats with
increased cargo
capacity were an
option for canal
traffic. The small
locks from
original canal of
1825 were
abandoned to
become town
parks, walking
trails, and part of
the heritage of
the many canal
villages.
Direct current winch motors made in 1903 by general electric in Schenectady, New York still serve.
Remnants of an industrial past have
become public parks in some cases,
painful reminders in others.
become public parks in some cases,
painful reminders in others.
The Erie Canal ends in Tonawanda where it
joins the Niagara River not far from Niagara falls
joins the Niagara River not far from Niagara falls
History: Canal Improvements
By 1862 the canal had been so
successful that improvement were
made to increase cargo capacity.
four feet to seven feet and the cargo
capacity of the barges increased to
240 tons. By 1883 the canal became
free of tolls; it had recouped all
construction and maintenance costs
and profited the State $42 million.
In 1903 an overhaul of the Erie
Canal was started. A decision was
made in favor of a barge canal as
opposed th a ship canal. A ship
canal would have accommodated
sea-going vessel such as those that
use the Saint Lawrence Seaway. A
barge Canal, on the other hand,
would restrict vessels in size and
height as does the present day Erie
Barge Canal. Due to bridges and
other structures the clearance
restricts vessel to 15.5 feet in height
from water level except for those
entering at Troy and exiting at
Oswego, where a 19 foot high
restriction exists.
The overhaul of the Erie Canal would
change the name to the Erie Barge
Canal and make major changes to
the route and to the way the canal
functioned..
By 1862 the canal had been so
successful that improvement were
made to increase cargo capacity.
four feet to seven feet and the cargo
capacity of the barges increased to
240 tons. By 1883 the canal became
free of tolls; it had recouped all
construction and maintenance costs
and profited the State $42 million.
In 1903 an overhaul of the Erie
Canal was started. A decision was
made in favor of a barge canal as
opposed th a ship canal. A ship
canal would have accommodated
sea-going vessel such as those that
use the Saint Lawrence Seaway. A
barge Canal, on the other hand,
would restrict vessels in size and
height as does the present day Erie
Barge Canal. Due to bridges and
other structures the clearance
restricts vessel to 15.5 feet in height
from water level except for those
entering at Troy and exiting at
Oswego, where a 19 foot high
restriction exists.
The overhaul of the Erie Canal would
change the name to the Erie Barge
Canal and make major changes to
the route and to the way the canal
functioned..
The 1917, Erie Canal overhaul had converted the existing canal to
one that used natural rivers where possible: "canalizing" the rivers as
it is called. While this might at first appear a prudent way to convey
torrent during the spring melt and hurricane season, brought its own
special problems.
The most problematic River was the Mohawk at the eastern end of the
canal where water in the summer months can be insufficient. Two
dams were built to harness reserve water, one at Delta, which
submerged the town, and another at Hinkley. Both had surface areas
of 4.5 square miles.
In addition, eight dams with movable gates were built on the Mohawk.
These acted to impound water in a series of lakes that would allow for
navigation. These dams look like bridges; the machinery used to raise
and lower the gates is housed in and supported by bridge-like steel
trusses. In some cases these dams do convey surface traffic over the
Mohawk River.
The new Erie Barge Canal (1917) now had additional capacity: 12 feet
of uniform bottom depth, a width of 75 to 90 feet and 57 standardized
locks measuring 44.5 feet wide by 300 feet long with a depth of 12
feet.
The lifts ranged from 6 feet to 40.5 feet, with most being in the 16 to
20 foot range.
one that used natural rivers where possible: "canalizing" the rivers as
it is called. While this might at first appear a prudent way to convey
torrent during the spring melt and hurricane season, brought its own
special problems.
The most problematic River was the Mohawk at the eastern end of the
canal where water in the summer months can be insufficient. Two
dams were built to harness reserve water, one at Delta, which
submerged the town, and another at Hinkley. Both had surface areas
of 4.5 square miles.
In addition, eight dams with movable gates were built on the Mohawk.
These acted to impound water in a series of lakes that would allow for
navigation. These dams look like bridges; the machinery used to raise
and lower the gates is housed in and supported by bridge-like steel
trusses. In some cases these dams do convey surface traffic over the
Mohawk River.
The new Erie Barge Canal (1917) now had additional capacity: 12 feet
of uniform bottom depth, a width of 75 to 90 feet and 57 standardized
locks measuring 44.5 feet wide by 300 feet long with a depth of 12
feet.
The lifts ranged from 6 feet to 40.5 feet, with most being in the 16 to
20 foot range.
Equipment designed and built during the
1917 overhaul is still in use and kept
pristine and functioning by the Lock
Masters
1917 overhaul is still in use and kept
pristine and functioning by the Lock
Masters
Notable Locks
The new Erie Barge Canal was no less an achievement than the first
canal. Some notable lifts along the route are marvels of engineering.
In Troy, the canal leaves the tidal-level Hudson River to climb a series
of five locks at Waterford with a total lift of 169 feet. The Mohawk
River conveys boats to the next big lift at Little Falls, where a single
lock lifts boats 40 1/2 feet, the biggest single lift in the canal.
Erie Barge Canal Cargo
A few years after the new Erie Barge Canal opened in its entirety in
1918, new systems of cargo carriers had been developed that
Barges 150 feet long and 20 feet wide with 20 foot high sides and a
A few years after the new Erie Barge Canal opened in its entirety in
draft of 10 1/2 feet could carry 650 tons. A fleet of three of these
1918, new systems of cargo carriers had been developed that 1918,
new systems of cargo carriers had been developed that included
boats strung together pulled by a motorized cargo carrier. included
boats strung together pulled by a motorized cargo carrier. Barges
150 feet long and 20 feet wide with 20 foot high sides and a draft of
10 1/2 feet could carry 650 tons. A fleet of three of these would be
pulled by a motorized lead vessel carrying 380 tons, the rest given
over to propulsion machinery. These four-boat convoys could carry
2300 tons of cargo and were common on the new Erie Barge Canal.
The new Erie Barge Canal was no less an achievement than the first
canal. Some notable lifts along the route are marvels of engineering.
In Troy, the canal leaves the tidal-level Hudson River to climb a series
of five locks at Waterford with a total lift of 169 feet. The Mohawk
River conveys boats to the next big lift at Little Falls, where a single
lock lifts boats 40 1/2 feet, the biggest single lift in the canal.
Erie Barge Canal Cargo
A few years after the new Erie Barge Canal opened in its entirety in
1918, new systems of cargo carriers had been developed that
Barges 150 feet long and 20 feet wide with 20 foot high sides and a
A few years after the new Erie Barge Canal opened in its entirety in
draft of 10 1/2 feet could carry 650 tons. A fleet of three of these
1918, new systems of cargo carriers had been developed that 1918,
new systems of cargo carriers had been developed that included
boats strung together pulled by a motorized cargo carrier. included
boats strung together pulled by a motorized cargo carrier. Barges
150 feet long and 20 feet wide with 20 foot high sides and a draft of
10 1/2 feet could carry 650 tons. A fleet of three of these would be
pulled by a motorized lead vessel carrying 380 tons, the rest given
over to propulsion machinery. These four-boat convoys could carry
2300 tons of cargo and were common on the new Erie Barge Canal.
Erie Canal History: Erie Barge Canal
Erie Barge Canal Era Ends
The decision in the early 1900s to build a barge
commercial potential of the Erie Barge Canal. The
planners did not anticipate the building in 1959 of a
link for ocean-going ships to the sea through the
Saint Lawrence River's canal system.
Three hundred and six highway and rail bridges
cross the canal and would have required renovation,
the canal would have needed much deeper and
wider lanes. The Erie Barge Canal plan prevailed
and remained viable commercially for another forty
years.
Sources: Wikipedia, New York State Canal Publications, Canalway
Trails Publications
The decision in the early 1900s to build a barge
commercial potential of the Erie Barge Canal. The
planners did not anticipate the building in 1959 of a
link for ocean-going ships to the sea through the
Saint Lawrence River's canal system.
Three hundred and six highway and rail bridges
cross the canal and would have required renovation,
the canal would have needed much deeper and
wider lanes. The Erie Barge Canal plan prevailed
and remained viable commercially for another forty
years.
Sources: Wikipedia, New York State Canal Publications, Canalway
Trails Publications
Erie Canal History, Recreation, Walking, and Bike
Trails
Trails
Erie Canal Improvements were made in 1862 because
the canal had been so successful that there was a need
to increase cargo capacity. Depth was increased from
the original four feet to seven feet and the cargo
capacity of the barges increased to 240 tons.
the canal had been so successful that there was a need
to increase cargo capacity. Depth was increased from
the original four feet to seven feet and the cargo
capacity of the barges increased to 240 tons.
Erie Canal Improvements
were made in 1862
because the canal had
been so successful that
there was a need to
increase cargo capacity.
were made in 1862
because the canal had
been so successful that
there was a need to
increase cargo capacity.
Erie Canal depth was increased from the original four feet
to seven feet and the cargo capacity of the barges
increased to 240 tons. The canal of the present was built
in 1903-1917
to seven feet and the cargo capacity of the barges
increased to 240 tons. The canal of the present was built
in 1903-1917
Custom Search
Reach the Erie Canal
west end. Check Auto Europe's Flights and Rental vehicles.
Albany at the east end of the Erie canal has air service from Albany International Airport (ALB)
Rental Cars Available
luggage compartment
•Baggage must not exceed 62 inches when adding the total exterior dimensions of the piece (length + width + height). A charge of $30
- $40 (depending on the distance traveled) will be applied to any baggage above the 62-inch limit.
◦Packaging exceptions will only be made for the following items: bicycles, skis and ski poles must be packed in wood, canvas or other
substantial container, and securely fastened (Excerpted from Greyhound)
- Air
west end. Check Auto Europe's Flights and Rental vehicles.
Albany at the east end of the Erie canal has air service from Albany International Airport (ALB)
Rental Cars Available
- Auto
- Bus
luggage compartment
•Baggage must not exceed 62 inches when adding the total exterior dimensions of the piece (length + width + height). A charge of $30
- $40 (depending on the distance traveled) will be applied to any baggage above the 62-inch limit.
◦Packaging exceptions will only be made for the following items: bicycles, skis and ski poles must be packed in wood, canvas or other
substantial container, and securely fastened (Excerpted from Greyhound)
- Train
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
Custom Search
Sell Travel Photos, Help Pay for Your Vacation,
Click Image for How-To Book Offer
Click Image for How-To Book Offer
Bookmark this Page
Press Ctrl - D
or Share
Press Ctrl - D
or Share
Erie Canal Bus, Train Travel
Erie Canal Lodging
Erie Canal History
Erie Canal Biking
Index All Canal Biking
Erie Canal Museums
Erie Canal Inn to Inn Vacation
Erie Canal Travel, Tour
Erie Canal Hotels, Lodging
Erie Barge Canal Biking, Lodging, Events, Sightseeing
| Save On Air Travel When traveling by air to the Erie Canal in New York State you can save on your air fare by Parking your Car for Two Weeks Free after one night Lodging in Airport Hotels near your home city . (60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide) Cruise passengers included. The early shuttle from the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money on the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not need to arrange for a limo from your home to the airport. Free, 24 hour shuttles to the airport. See details, photos of the hotels, and reviews. Convenient Two Week Free Airport Parking with a one night hotel stay could save you money and enhance your Erie Canal vacation experience. |
| Shop for Hotels Apartments |
Erie Canal lodging options offered by our affiliate partners include vacation rental houses, vacation apartments,
Hotels, and B&Bs. Check the links above and see photos, reviews, maps, and room rates that will aid in your shopping.
Hotels, and B&Bs. Check the links above and see photos, reviews, maps, and room rates that will aid in your shopping.
Home Away, Vacation
Rentals,Vacation Homes
Rentals,Vacation Homes
Shop and Compare Vacation Lodging and Room Rates Along New York's Erie Canal
