Notice

05/27/2025 02:07 PM

Notice to Mariners 

Canal System Update: Champlain Canal

May 27, 2025 

 

The New York State Canal Corporation today announced the following update:

 

Effective today, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 8:00 am:

 

Champlain Canal

 

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/newyorkpowe2bd0-canalsf418-productionbf60-c829/media/Files/Navinfo/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.