Hours of Operation
The canals are open to recreational mariners from mid-May to mid-October daily from 8 am – 5 pm. However, certain locks operate on unique schedules, so boaters are encouraged to review the Boating Hours to ensure their planned route and timing is viable.
Locks, Lift Bridges and Guard Gates Details
Contact Information for these facilities, during Non-Navigation Season or when there is no answer, can be found on the Contact Us page.
Lock Information
Lift Bridge Information
Canal Speed Limits
Champlain Canal
- C-12 to C-8: 10 MPH
- C-8 to C-7: 5 MPH
- C-7 to Crocker's Reef: 45 MPH
- Crocker's Reef to C-6 (land cut): 10 MPH
- C-6 to Northumberland (approach piers to land cut): 45 MPH
- Northumberland to C-5: 10 MPH
- C-5 to C-4 cut (bridge): 45 MPH
- C-4 cut: 10 MPH C-4 to C-1: 30 MPH
- C-1 to Waterford: 30 MPH
Erie Canal
- E-2 to E-6: 5 MPH
- E-6 to E-12: 45 MPH
- E-12 to E-16: 30 MPH
- E-16 to E-17: 10 MPH
- E-17 to Guard Gate #4: 5 MPH
- Guard Gate #4 to E-21: 10 MPH
- E-21 to Sylvan Beach Breakwater: 5 MPH
- Oneida Lake: No Speed Limit I-81 Bridge (E-63A) to and including State Ditch Cut: 10 MPH
- R "408" at western end of State Ditch Cut to E-26: 30 MPH
- E-26 to E-32: 10 MPH E-32 to E-33: 5 MPH
- E-33 to Three Mile Island: 10 MPH
- Three Mile Island to Niagara River: 5 MPH
Oswego Canal
- Three Rivers to O-2: 10 MPH
- O-2 to O-3: 5 MPH
- O-3 to O-6: 10 MPH
- O-6 to O-8: 5 MPH
Cayuga-Seneca Canal
- Cayuga-Seneca / Erie Canal Junction to Lock CS-1: 30 MPH
- CS-1 to Seneca Lake: 10 MPH
- Seneca Lake: No Speed Limit
- Southern Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen to Montour Falls Navigation Channel: 5 MPH
- Cayuga Lake: No Speed Limit
- Southern Cayuga Lake, Ithaca Navigation Channel – 5 MPH
Onondaga Lake Cut
- Junction to Lake: 5 MPH
- Onondaga Lake: No Speed Limit
- Lake to Inner Harbor: 5 MPH
Genesee River
- Erie Canal to Corn Hill Landing: 10 MPH
Guard Gate Information
Bridge Heights Information
Navigating the Canals
Canals Map
Our interactive map helps you plan and identify points of interest along your route.
On the Canals Boater App
Our smartphone app lets you contact operators at participating locks and lift bridges when you're ready to transit to your next destination.
NYS Boater’s Guide
There's a lot to remember as a boater, so we've compiled everything you need to know into a handy, easy-to-use guide, available as a PDF download.
Waterway Trail Stewardship Program
We love our canals and want to preserve them for generations to come.
Invasive Species
The NYS Canal Corporation plays an important role in mitigating the spread of invasive species (IS).
Environmental Stewardship Program
Environmental Stewardship is recognized as one of the primary responsibilities of the Canal Corporation.