New York State Canals

Navigating the Canals

Navigation Info. with Water Depths | Navigational Aids | How to Lock Through | Vessel Registration | Mooring | Customs | FAQs

Navigation Information with Water Depths

• Hudson River (Troy to Waterford)
• Champlain Canal (Waterford to Whitehall)
  • Fort Edward Yacht Basin
• Eastern Erie Canal (Waterford to Three Rivers)
  • Frankfort Harbor
  • Utica Harbor 
• Oswego Canal (Three Rivers to Oswego)
• Central Erie Canal (Three Rivers to Montezuma)
  • Onondaga Lake (to Syracuse)
• Cayuga-Seneca Canal (Montezuma to Cayuga and Seneca Lakes)
  • Cayuga Lake (to Ithaca)
  • Seneca Lake (to Watkins Glen)
• Western Erie Canal (Montezuma to Tonawanda)
  • Genesee River (to Rochester)
  • Ellicott Creek (Tonawanda)

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Navigational Aids

Navigational aids on the New York State Canal System conform to the U.S. Coast Guard   lateral system of buoyage (red right return). Note that buoyage reverses from red on starboard (right) to red on port (left), north of Champlain Canal Lock 12 at Whitehall, and on the entire length of the Oswego Canal.

Failures and displacements of navigational aids may occur. Please report discrepancies in navigational aids to Canal staff.

Navigational Charts

The Canal Corporation recommends that boaters carry the latest edition of navigation charts on board - Chart #14786. Charts may be obtained through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  (NOAA), Distribution Branch, N-CG33, Riverdale, MD 20737, (301) 436-8301, and at some local bookstores, marinas and boat chandleries. 

Stay Clear of Dams!

Vessel operators and visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution and stay well clear of all dams.

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How to "Lock Through" Canal System Locks

Approaching the Lock

On approaching the lock, hail the Lock Operator on Marine Channel 13 or sound three blasts on your horn to signal that you are approaching and request service. A red light indicates the lock is not ready. Stop at a safe distance and stand by for a green light. Before entering the lock, check that fenders are properly positioned.

Entering the Lock

A green light means come ahead. Enter the lock slowly and stay in line of approach. In the lock chamber, station vessels alongside the lock wall as directed by the Lock Operator. During the lockage, keep bow and stern close to the wall by looping line to holding apparatus (lines, ladders, cables or pipes) as provided. DO NOT TIE LINES. Serious injury can result from using hands and feet to fend a moving boat off a wall. Use a boat hook, paddle or oar. Do not wrap lines around hands or feet as lines may tighten and cause injury.

Exiting the Lock

Take in lines when lock gates are fully open and shove off away from the wall. Proceed slowly out of the lock chamber in order. Observe "lock limit" speed before increasing cruising speed.

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Vessel Registration

All mechanically propelled vessels - regardless of size - operating on the waters of New York State must display numbers showing valid registration in the principal state or country of use. Vessels documented for pleasure by the U.S. Coast Guard   may display a current state registration decal.

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Mooring at Canal Corporation Facilities

Under the New York Codes, Rules & Regulations, vessels may moor at a Canal Corporation owned dock or terminal up to 48 hours in a calendar month. Such mooring is free of charge, though services provided at the facility, such as electric, water and pumpouts, may have a charge associated with them. Vessels wishing to moor in excess of 48 hours must apply for a permit from the Corporation. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, such permits are usually granted only to commercial and other non-recreational vessels.

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Customs

Masters of foreign flag vessels must report arrivals immediately to U.S. Customs at the first U.S. port of entry. Boaters entering Canadian waters must contact a reporting station at their first opportunity.

Given events that have transpired since the 2001 Navigation Season, past procedures employed by the United States and Canadian Immigration and Customs agencies are being reviewed. Currently, no new procedures or policies have been announced and no suspension of any programs or permits have been announced. According to a report in the February 23 edition of the Watertown Daily News, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service has no plan to ban pleasure boats from entering the U.S. via shared waterways with Canada. The Watertown Daily News also reported that no decision has been made as to what the system will be for small boats; and that a variety of options and types of technology are being considered. Mariners wishing to cross between the U.S. and Canada are advised to contact the appropriate agency for further clarification of any new procedures. The Canal Corporation regrets any inconvenience incurred by its customers as a result of this uncertain situation.

• U.S. Immigration and Naturalization: 1-800-375-5283
• U.S. Customs 1-800-927-5015
• Canadian Customs 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277)

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Boating & Navigation