Waterway/Lock Closures
Waterway/Lock Closure Listings
Erie Canal, New York State Canal System
The New York State Canal Corporation announced the following update on 6/4/25:
Erie Canal Infrastructure Repairs
Critical repairs to the Rocky Rift movable dam west of Lock E-16 in St. Johnsville have been completed. With the dam now operational, the navigation pool between Lock E-16 and Lock E-17 in Little Falls is slowly being filled. The earthen embankment with the identified seep is being monitored to see how it reacts while holding water at the normal navigation level.
If additional work is required on the embankment, the temporary closure of this section may be extended beyond the original estimate of June 11 - 18.
The Canal Corporation anticipates announcing another update on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Locks E-24, E-25, and CS-1
The Erie Canal at Lock E-24 in Baldwinsville and Lock E-25 in Mays Point, and Cayuga-Seneca Canal Lock CS-1 will open for navigation at 8:00 am on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
Champlain Canal Summit Level Depth
The summit level of the Champlain Canal between Lock C-8 in Fort Edward and C-9 in Smith’s Basin is now operating at its normal full depth.
Additional Information for Mariners
Boaters who are navigating the open sections of the Canal system should be aware of floating debris generated by recent heavy 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 as sections of the Canal system open to ensure dock space and amenities are available.
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.
Mariners are advised to check the Canal Corporation’s Notice to Mariners for the latest information and to plan their itineraries accordingly as sections of the Canal system open to ensure dock space and amenities are available.
Champlain Canal
5/27/25-Mariners are advised that Champlain Canal Lock C-3 in Mechanicville requires all northbound boaters to tie to the east (starboard) side of the lock chamber when locking through the lock due to a fill valve issue until further notice.
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.
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Effective 5/27/25 Lock C-1 (Waterford) through Lock C-12 (Whitehall) – Open Champlain Canal Scheduled Lockings and Double Draining Lock C-1 (Waterford), Lock C-2 (Halfmoon), Lock C-3 (Mechanicville), and Lock C-4 (Stillwater) will pass recreational vessels three times daily. Lock C-1 will pass northbound traffic and Lock C-4 will pass southbound traffic daily at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 2:00 pm. Locks C-2 and C-3 will pass traffic when the vessels arrive from Locks C-1 or C-4. Additionally, these locks will operate on a "double draining" procedure. Each lock will be maintained in full condition and emptied twice during locking operations. For northbound traffic, the locks will be drained twice before traffic enters the lock chamber. For southbound traffic, the lock will be emptied and refilled once before the vessels are admitted into the lock for southbound passage. The second draining will occur with the vessels in the lock. Vessels will not be permitted to moor overnight at the Lock C-1 (Waterford) and Lock C-4 (Stillwater) approach walls. The procedures at these locks have been implemented in accordance with the Canal Corporation and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) joint Rapid Response Plan enacted in 2022 to mitigate the spread of the round goby, an aquatic invasive species. Champlain Canal Water Levels – Lock C-8 (Fort Edward) to Lock C-9 (Smith’s Basin) Vessels with eight feet of draft or less will be able to transit the Champlain Canal’s summit level between Lock C-8 (Fort Edward) and C-9 (Smith’s Basin) beginning today. A subsequent Notice to Mariners will be issued once enough depth is achieved to support deeper draft boats. Champlain Canal Overhead Clearance and Quebec’s Chambly Canal Mariners are reminded that the maximum overhead clearance for the Champlain Canal is 17.0’ and for those choosing to transit through using this as an alternate to the Eastern Erie Canal, the minimum depth of the Chambly Canal in Québec is 6.6’ and their maximum allowable beam is 22’, which preclude some large catamarans from using this route. Also, as a reminder, the current on the St. Lawrence River is significant, which can be challenging for lower powered vessels such as smaller sailboats. A map of the New York State Canal system displaying the open and closed sections is available here. https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/.../CanalClosure_5-27.pdf Boaters who are navigating the open sections of the Canal system should be aware of floating debris generated by recent heavy rainfall and proceed with caution, at a "No Wake" speed as some debris may be hard to see. Some buoys (Aids to Navigation) may be off station and are being relocated by Canal Corporation employees. Mariners are advised to check the Canal Corporation’s Notice to Mariners for the latest information and to plan their itineraries accordingly as sections of the Canal system open to ensure dock space and amenities are available. 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. |
W. P. Franklin Lock, Okeechobee Waterway
W.P Franklin Lock is open with a 26 foot width restriction until further notice. For updates, contact the Franklin Lock & Dam at 239-694-5451 or 863-662-9908.
Okeechobee Waterway
5/23/25-Notice is given that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is advising commercial and recreational vessels to check lake and canal levels daily when making navigation decisions. USACE is conducting RECOVERY operations, which involve the lowering of Lake Okeechobee to allow for growth of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and for the overall health of the lake. This is causing lake levels to be lower than typical. Additionally, the Corps may hold the upper pool of the C-43 canal, between the Julian Keen Jr. Lock and Dam (S-77) and Ortona Lock and Dam (S-78) below its optimal level.
You may check lake and route depths at: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
