Discover the NY Canals

07/08/2026

https://canalny.com/membership-levels/

Our website has new updates! 😎

Become A Member of Canal New York Membership LevelsMembership Benefits Membership Levels  Individual Membership $20/year Individual with an interest in New York’s Canals  Business Membership $50/year Business or nonprofit organizations  Municipal Membership $100/year City, Village, Town o...

07/08/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaidqGMyqdI/?igsh=bXp3cjF6M3ZjNXd0

05/13/2026

Boaters… it’s almost that time! 🛥️

As we gear up for the start of the 2026 Navigation Season, here’s your digital copy of the Boater Resource Guide. It’s your trusty co‑captain for exploring the NYS Canal System.

What’s inside? A little bit of everything you need to float happily through the season, including:

✔️ how to plan your trip
✔️ where to tie up
✔️ what services are available along the way
✔️ safety tips
✔️ lock info, rules of the waterway & more

Explore the digital guide here: https://tinyurl.com/BoaterResourceGuide2026

Save it, share it, keep it handy… and get ready for a great season on the Canal!

05/13/2026

Notice to Mariners
New York State Canal System Update
May 13, 2026

The NYS Canal Corporation today announced the following update:

All portions of the New York State Canal system are scheduled to open for navigation on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 8:00 am, except for Locks E-24 (Baldwinsville), E-25 (Mays Point), and CS-1 (Cayuga).

Mariners are advised that the Erie Canal between Lock E-24 in Baldwinsville and Lock E-25 in Mays Point, and Cayuga-Seneca Canal between the Erie Canal and Lock CS-1 in Cayuga are experiencing high water and navigation aids have not been placed. These sections of the Canal system will open once the water levels recede and buoys are placed.

The following locations on the Champlain Canal will have buoys placed during the week of May 18, 2026:

Champlain Canal
Fort Edward Yacht Basin – Approach channel
Lock C-11 in Comstock – Warning buoys and dam barrier

Spar buoys are currently in place on Onedia Lake. Navigational buoys will be placed as soon as maintenance crews are able to navigate through the system.

The boat barrier at the Court Street Dam, on the Genesee River, is currently not in place. It will be placed as flows recede enabling the hydro operator to install it.

Boaters navigating the Canal system should be aware of floating debris generated by recent rainfall and proceed with caution, at a "No Wake" speed as some debris may be hard to see.

Mariners are advised to check the Canal Corporation’s Notice to Mariners for the latest information and to plan their itineraries accordingly.

For general news, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or follow the Canal Corporation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

To report an issue or incident along the Canal system, please call the Canal Corporation’s Emergency Call Center at 833-538-1042.

04/29/2026

Notice to Mariners
2026 Navigation Season – System Hours
April 29, 2026

Mariners are advised that, conditions permitting, all portions of the New York State Canal system are scheduled to open Friday, May 15, 2026, for the annual Navigation Season. As the Canal Corporation continues to recruit seasonal staff, lock operating hours may differ from previous seasons at various locations. All mariners are encouraged to read the schedule below carefully. As staff positions are filled, hours will be adjusted and communicated through the Notice to Mariners notification program. There are no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal system this year.

The hours of operation for the 2026 season are as follows:
Standard hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily until October 14, 2026.
The following locks and lift bridges will operate with extended hours, through peak navigation season, May 15 through September 9, as follows:

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.:
Lock E-8 (Rotterdam)
Lock E-23 (Brewerton)
Lock O-1 (Phoenix)
Lock O-2 (Fulton)
Lock O-3 (Fulton)
Lock O-8 (Oswego)
Lock E-24 (Baldwinsville)
Main Street Lift Bridge (Fairport)
Lock E-32 (Pittsford)
Lock E-33 (Henrietta)
Spencerport Lift Bridge
Adams Basin Lift Bridge
Park Avenue Lift Bridge (Brockport)
Main Street Lift Bridge (Brockport)
Holley Lift Bridge
Hulberton Lift Bridge
Ingersoll Street Lift Bridge (Albion)
Main Street Lift Bridge (Albion)
Eagle Harbor Lift Bridge
Knowlesville Lift Bridge
Medina Lift Bridge
Middleport Lift Bridge
Gasport Lift Bridge
Exchange Street Lift Bridge (Lockport)
Lock E-34/35 (Lockport)
Lock CS-1 (Cayuga)
Lock CS-2/3 (Seneca Falls)
Lock CS-4 (Waterloo)

Vessels will be admitted through structures if arriving prior to scheduled closing. Vessels arriving at Lock CS-2/3 in Seneca Falls or Lock E-34/35 in Lockport from either direction prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both chambers. Vessels arriving westbound at Lock E-21 in New London or arriving eastbound at Lock E-22 in Verona prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks. Recreational vessels arriving southbound at Lock C-4 in Stillwater or arriving northbound at Lock C-3 in Mechanicville prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks. Vessels arriving at the Waterford Flight from either direction should arrive by 5:00 pm daily to be admitted through the entire Flight.

The Canal Corporation continues to seek seasonal employees to staff the locks and lift bridges across the Canal system. Extending operating hours at the Waterford Flight and Lock E-7 (Niskayuna) for example are contingent on adequate staffing levels.

Those interested in applying for a position should visit the Canal Corporation’s website.

All Canal users are encouraged to learn how they can assist in mitigating the spread of aquatic invasives species to ensure the Canal’s resiliency for generations to come and help protect New York’s waters from invasive pests. For more information on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Steward Program, please visit DEC’s website.

The Canal Corporation urges all users and stakeholders to register to receive updates through the Notice to Mariners notification program by clicking here.

For general news, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or follow on the Canal Corporation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

To report an issue or incident along the Canal system, please call the Canal Corporation’s Emergency Call Center at 833-538-1042.

04/16/2026

Notice to Mariners from the NYS Canal Corporation

Western Erie Canal and Glens Falls Feeder Canal – Water Levels

April 15, 2026

In advance of the 2026 navigation season, the New York State Canal Corporation today announced that water levels in the Erie Canal between Lock E-30 (Macedon) and Locks E-34/35 (Lockport) will be consistent with levels maintained since the 2022 navigation season – approximately one foot lower than historic levels.

The adjustment in water levels is directly attributable to the Canal Corporation’s efforts to monitor and manage known seeps along the canal’s earthen embankments. Levels may vary slightly depending on the location. The reduced water levels should not impact vessels transiting the canal within the navigation channel but may impact some docks and boat launches.

In addition, water levels in the Glens Falls Feeder Canal will be consistent with levels maintained since 2022 – approximately two feet lower than historic levels as seeps continue to be monitored there as well.

Additional adjustments to the water levels, if required, will be communicated in a timely manner.

The Canal Corporation continuously monitors and inspects these earthen dams on foot via daily monitoring with our staff, as well as using advanced technologies like drones and thermal imaging. To learn more about the Canal Corporation’s Earthen Embankment Integrity Program, please visit this website.

The Canal Corporation urges all users and stakeholders to register to receive updates through the Notice to Mariners notification program by clicking here.

For general news, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or follow the Canal Corporation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

To report an issue or incident along the Canal system, please call the Canal Corporation’s Emergency Call Center at 833-538-1042.