New York State Canal System Opens May 20th

The NYS Canal System is scheduled to open on Friday, May 20th at 7 am for the 2022 navigation season.

Standard hours of operation will be 7 am to 5 pm until October 12th, but busier locks and lift bridges will be open on demand until 10 pm. If adjustments to the schedule are necessary, the public will be notified accordingly. There are no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal system this year.

The following locks and lift bridges will operate with extended hours, through peak navigation season May 20 through September 14, as follows:

7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.:

• Lock C-1 (Halfmoon)
• 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)

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

• Lock E-25 (Mays Point)
• Lock E-26 (Clyde)
• Lock E-27 (Lyons)
• Lock E-28A (Lyons)
• Lock E-28B (Newark)
• Lock E-29 (Palmyra)
• Lock E-30 (Macedon)

In addition to the structures listed above, Locks E-21 and E-22 in New London will operate with extended hours, on demand, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursday through Monday from May 20 to September 14. Due to roving operations, some delays may be experienced during certain periods.

Mariners should plan accordingly for scheduled lockages at Champlain Canal Locks C-7 and C-8 in Fort Edward this season. Details regarding the schedule will follow in a subsequent Notice to Mariners. More information can be found here.

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.  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 prior to scheduled closing will 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.

In case of emergencies, please call the Canal Corporation Emergency Call Center at: (833) 538-1042.

By signing up for Canal Notices and Alerts, boaters can receive the latest information about Canal openings/closures, water levels, construction and other elements affecting navigation on the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Residents, businesses, and other stakeholders around and downstream of Hinckley Reservoir can also be notified when changes to discharge rates from the reservoir, or into the Nine Mile Feeder, occur.

Photo of boat on Erie Canal courtesy Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.