May 28, 2020

On May 19, the New York State Canal Corporation today announced an updated opening schedule for the 524-mile Canal system based on maintenance and construction projects resuming in the Capital, Mohawk Valley, Central NY, Finger Lakes, and Western NY regions under the “NY Forward Reopening” plan.

Maintenance work that needs to be completed at specific Canal facilities varies by location and locks along the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals will open for passage in a staggered fashion.

Announcements regarding specific lock or regional openings will be communicated through the Canal Corporation’s “Notice to Mariners” notification program available at www.canals.ny.gov . Canadians should check info re border crossing!

Updated opening schedule (tentative) 

Capital Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th  

• Erie Canal from Lock E-2 in Waterford to Lock E-9 in Rotterdam

◦ Except for Locks E-7 (Niskayuna), E-8 (Scotia), and E-9 (Rotterdam) – these locks are forecast to open between July 20th and August 10th

• Champlain Canal from Lock C-1 in Waterford to Lock C-12 in Whitehall

           Except for Lock C-12 (Whitehall), which is forecast to open on August 10th

Mohawk Valley Region – Locks opening in phases, targeted for between July 4th and August 10th

• Erie Canal Lock E-10 in Cranesville through Sylvan Beach at Oneida Lake

Central NY Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th 

• Erie Canal from Oneida Lake to Lock E-25 in May’s Point

• Oswego Canal – except Lock O-7 in Oswego, which is forecast to open on August 10th

Finger Lakes Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th

• Erie Canal from Lock E-25 in May’s Point to Locks E-34/35 in Lockport – except Lock E-26 in Clyde, which is forecast to open on July 13th

• Cayuga – Seneca Canal – except Locks CS-2/3 in Seneca Falls, which are forecast to open on August 3rd

Western NY Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th  

• Erie Canal Locks E-34/35 in Lockport through Tonawanda