Notice
Dragon Boat Races: Erie Canal - Waterford Harbor
Notice to Mariners
Erie Canal – Waterford Harbor
July 29, 2025
Mariners are advised that Dragon Boat Races will be held on Friday, August 1st, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 2nd, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Use of Waterford Harbor floating docks will be restricted to participating vessels. The area will remain open to through-traffic, but commercial traffic requiring clearance through the event must call (518) 461-0942, at least 24 hours in advance. Docking space on the terminal wall will not be available on Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd. Mariners are also advised of practice sessions held on Friday and Saturday that could cause minor delays to vessels passing through the event area. There will be breaks in between heats which traffic may pass through as directed. Safety fire department boats and sheriff’s patrol boats will be present to monitor traffic.
Mariners are also advised that any vessels with more than 6 feet of draft must contact Jeff Cleary, Waterford Harbor Master, on VHF Channel 13, before entering the event area.
Boaters should plan their itineraries accordingly.
Additionally, mariners are advised that the Waterford floating docks will be closed from Thursday, July 31st at noon through Sunday, August 3rd until 5:00 p.m.
Details about the event can be found at:
Dragon Boat Festival | Waterford, NY
A chart covering the affected area can be found at:
The Canal Corporation urges all users and stakeholders to register to receive updates through the Notice to Mariners notification program by clicking here.
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.