Canals/Boating

Boating Hours

Discover the joy of boating on the iconic New York State Canals with our convenient boating hours, offering free recreational access for unforgettable experiences on the water.

2024 Navigation Season

The 2024 Navigation Season opened Friday, May 17, 2024 and expected to close Wednesday, October 16, 2024. As the Canal Corporation continues to recruit seasonal staff, lock operating hours may differ from previous seasons at various locations. All mariners are encouraged to read the schedule below carefully. As staff positions are filled, hours will be adjusted and communicated through the Notice to Mariners notification program. There are no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal system this year.

Operating Hours

The hours of operation for the 2024 season are as follows:

  • Standard hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, except as noted, until October 16, 2024.

The following locks and lift bridges will operate with extended hours (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m), through peak navigation season, May 17 through September 11

  • Lock E-8 (Rotterdam)
  • Lock E-23 (Brewerton)
  • Lock O-1 (Phoenix)
  • Lock O-2 (Fulton)
  • Lock O-3 (Fulton)
  • Lock O-8 (Oswego)
  • Lock E-24 (Baldwinsville)
  • Main Street Lift Bridge (Fairport)
  • Lock E-32 (Pittsford)
  • Lock E-33 (Henrietta)
  • Spencerport Lift Bridge - Daily 8 am to 6 pm until further notice due to staffing shortages
  • Adams Basin Lift Bridge - Daily 8 am to 6 pm until further notice due to staffing shortages
  • Park Avenue Lift Bridge (Brockport) - Daily 8 am to 6 pm until further notice due to staffing shortages
  • Main Street Lift Bridge (Brockport) [under rehabilitation this season]
  • Holley Lift Bridge - Daily 8 am to 6 pm until further notice due to staffing shortages
  • Hulberton Lift Bridge - Daily 8 am to 6 pm until further notice due to staffing shortages
  • Ingersoll Street Lift Bridge (Albion)
  • Main Street Lift Bridge (Albion) [under rehabilitation this season]
  • Eagle Harbor Lift Bridge
  • Knowlesville Lift Bridge
  • Medina Lift Bridge
  • Middleport Lift Bridge
  • Gasport Lift Bridge
  • Exchange Street Lift Bridge (Lockport)
  • Lock E-34/35 (Lockport)
  • Lock CS-1 (Cayuga)
  • Lock CS-2/3 (Seneca Falls)
  • Lock CS-4 (Waterloo)

Special Information at Specific Locks

Mariners should plan accordingly for scheduled lockages at Champlain Canal Locks C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 between Waterford and Stillwater this season. Details are on the invasive species page under "Changes Affecting Boating to Mitigate Round Goby Spread."

Vessels will be admitted through structures if arriving prior to scheduled closing. Vessels arriving at Lock CS-2/3 in Seneca Falls or Lock E-34/35 in Lockport from either direction prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both chambers. Vessels arriving westbound at Lock E-21 in New London or arriving eastbound at Lock E-22 in Verona prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks. Vessels arriving southbound at Lock C-4 in Stillwater or arriving northbound at Lock C-3 in Mechanicville prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks. Vessels arriving at the Waterford Flight from either direction should arrive by 5:00 pm daily to be admitted through the entire Flight.

The Canal Corporation continues to seek seasonal employees to staff the locks and lift bridges across the Canal system. Extending operating hours at the Waterford Flight and Lock E-7 (Niskayuna) for example are contingent on adequate staffing levels.

To apply for a position, view career opportunities.

For general news, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or follow the Canal Corporation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Call 911 to report an Emergency on the Canal System. To report other issues or incidents along the Canal system, call the Canal Incident Call Center 24/7, at 833-538-1042.

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