Tuesday, July 2 (Part 2): The Erie Canal at Waterford, NY

Date:                           July 2, 2013

Day on the Cruise:      78

From:                          Kingston City Marina, Kingston, NY                                            

To:                              Kingston City Marina, Kingston, NY

Statute Miles:              0.0 SM

Time:                          0.0 Hrs

Cumulative Miles:       1,874.5 SM

On Board:                  Susan, Chuck, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut

On our way back from Vermont today (see the other July 2, 2013 Post), we stopped in Waterford, NY where the Erie Canal joins the Hudson River, to survey the flooding. We found the Visitor's Center and the wall along the entrance to the Canal at Lock E-2 that boats entering the Canal use to tie up to.

The scene was depressing, really. The water was very high and swirling with eddies and current. There was a lot of trash in the water. At least the water was not over the wall and flooding the Visitor's Center, but it was only a foot or two from the top of this wall. There were a couple of boats tied to the wall here.

Flood waters at the entrance to the canal at Lock E-2 in Waterford

Flood waters where the Erie Canal flows into the Hudson River

A boat from Destin, FL tied to the wall at Waterford

Flood waters at the Visitor's Center at Waterford

Turbulent Flood Waters at Waterford

The lady manning the Visitor's Center did not know much about the status of the canal. It is still closed and she did not know when it would open. She said there were boats tied up above the lock and some further into the canal.

We saw pictures today of some damage to Lock E-12 that looks substantial. We are hearing that the Canal will be closed another two weeks if there is no more damage. While it did not rain on us today, there are storms predicted for tonight and tomorrow. These pictures of the Canal at Little Falls, NY and of the Dam at Lock E-12 were taken by Fred of Tug44 and appeared on the Waterway Guide Website.

The flood waters in Little Falls, Left, and normal pool....from the Waterway Guide Website.....picture taken by Fred Tug44

Damage to the Dam at Lock E-12....from the Waterway Guide Website.....picture taken by Fred Tug44

Debris that damaged the Dam at Lock E-12....from the Waterway Guide Website.....picture taken by Fred Tug44

This does not bode well for being able to get through the Canal when we will need to. The Canal Corporation is supposed to release a status update later this week. Stay tuned!

Thanks for Reading!