Erie Canal Reopens November 20, 2011

[sailingmonica]

ERIE CANAL ROUTE BETWEEN LAKE ONTARIO AND HUDSON RIVER SCHEDULED TO RE-OPEN NOVEMBER 20TH

The Erie and Oswego Canal navigation route between Lake Ontario and the Hudson River will re-open at 7 AM on Sunday, November 20th and will remain open until 5 PM on Saturday, December 3rd. The Champlain Canal, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, and the Western Erie Canal between Three Rivers and Tonawanda have closed for the season.

[unbusted67]

I didn't realize it was closed. What's that all about?

[capngeo]

Hurricane messed up the locks

[sailingmonica]

The canals were closed due to major damage to locks, gates and even bridges from Hurricane Irene.

They are re-opening them for a short time now to allow boats that were either blocked in the canal system or stuck on the North side to head South.

[unbusted67]

How can a Hurricane do so much damage to a body of water that isn't really a body of water at all? There is no fetch anywhere on the canal system.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

How can a Hurricane do so much damage to a body of water that isn't really a body of water at all? There is no fetch anywhere on the canal system.

Devastating rains led to flooding & major debris.
High water is what causes most hurricane damage & deaths, not just the winds.

[unbusted67]

I love the Erie Canal, we cruised down it two summers ago. Such a cool body of water,

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

How can a Hurricane do so much damage to a body of water that isn't really a body of water at all? There is no fetch anywhere on the canal system.

No fetch but tons of water!! It's the rainfall that kills you in the Mohawk River basin. I've been through in early May and the spillways look like Niagara Falls. Very scary, just pray that the engine doesn't quit. Here, have a look at this.
Hurricane Irene Flood 2011

[maytrix]

Wow.. Irene was a real bitch. I didn't realize it did so much damage in that area as well. All I knew about from flooding was Vermont (where our 2nd home was pretty much destroyed) . And then the flooding in NJ.

[bassman1956]

Irene did far more flooding damage in North Carolina than any major network reported to any degree, but since it wasn't NYC, it got blown off the front page by the hype.



Some day I will do the Erie canal...

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by bassman1956

Some day I will do the Erie canal...

Yes, it's a wonderful trip. Tie up at a lock every night, pleasant lock keepers and a beautiful trip through mostly rural areas with little towns. It's like a step back in time. Only disturbing part is the empty factories along the canal. Take your time and enjoy it.

[edbulmer]

Anyone heard if the Erie canal will be open in the spring?

[Vasco]

Projected date for opening May 1 2012.

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Yes, it's a wonderful trip. Tie up at a lock every night, pleasant lock keepers and a beautiful trip through mostly rural areas with little towns. It's like a step back in time. Only disturbing part is the empty factories along the canal. Take your time and enjoy it.

I concur. The Erie Canal is nothing if not charming. It is about the easiest cruising one could wish for. No weather, no tides, no docking fees. It's a cruisers paradise. If only it wasn't in the middle of New York state.

[S/V Alchemy]

Now, now. Rochester has some pretty parts, and Oswego has a nice setting.