Notice

11/07/2025 12:17 PM

Notice to Mariners

Eastern Erie Canal – Crescent and Vischer Ferry

November 7, 2025

 

Flashboard Removal at Crescent & Vischer Ferry Projects

 

 

The New York Power Authority, working with BIDCO Marine Group, Inc., will remove flashboards at the Crescent & Vischer Ferry dams starting Wednesday, November 12, 2025. These activities will cause fluctuations in water levels which may affect marinas, boats and docks.

The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, November 12   Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at navigation season levels.

BIDCO completes mobilization efforts to Vischer Ferry Project / Lock 7. Work begins on removal and storage of Vischer Ferry Boat Denial Lines. (Elevation 213.1’ BCD)

Thursday, November 13               Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at navigation season levels.

Work continues on removal and storage of Vischer Ferry Boat Denial Lines. (Elevation 213.1’ BCD)

Friday, November 14                    Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at navigation season levels.

Work on removal and storage of Vischer Ferry Boat Denial Lines completed. (Elevation 213.1’ BCD)

Work barge travels from Lock 7 / Vischer Ferry Project to Lock 6 / Crescent Project.

Sunday, November 16                  Overnight: If needed, a drawdown begins at Vischer Ferry as

water levels between Mohawk River / Erie Canal Lock E7 and Lock E8 are lowered. Water levels will drop approx. 2 feet, depending on river flows at the time. The water drawdown is completed by Monday morning. (Elevation 211.0’ Barge Canal Datum)

Monday, November 17                Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry are at, or gradually rise

approximately 2 feet to, top of flashboards (normal navigation season level). (Elevation 213.1’ BCD)

Morning: 2-foot drawdown is started at Crescent as water levels between Mohawk River / Erie Canal Lock E6 and Lock E7 begin lowering. Begin removal of flashboards at Crescent (Elevation 183.5’ BCD)

Evening: Water levels at Crescent rise approximately 4 inches, to non-navigation season levels. (183.8’)

Tuesday, November 18                BIDCO completes mobilization efforts to Crescent. Work barge

travels from Lock 6 / Crescent Project to Lock 7 / Vischer Ferry Project. (Elevation 213.1’ BCD)

Overnight: A drawdown begins at Vischer Ferry as water levels between Mohawk River / Erie Canal Lock E7 and Lock E8 are lowered. Water levels will drop approx. 2 feet, depending on river flows at the time. The water drawdown is completed by Wednesday morning. (Elevation 211.0’ Barge Canal Datum)

Wednesday, November 19    Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry are lowered approx. 6

inches. Remove debris from debris line. Fish Deterrent system components are removed from Vischer Ferry forebay.

Flashboards are removed on Dam F. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

Evening: Water levels at Vischer Ferry rise approx. 6 inches. (Elevation 211.0’ BCD)

Thursday, November 20                Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches.

                                            Flashboards are removed on Dam D. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

                                                           Evening: Water levels at Vischer Ferry rise approx. 6 inches.

                                                                (Elevation 211.0’ BCD)

                                               

Friday, November 21                    Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches.

                                           Flashboards are removed on Dam E. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

                                                                Evening: Water levels at Vischer Ferry rise approximately 4 inches, to

                                                                non-navigation season levels. (Elevation 210.8’ BCD)                                                                                            

 

 

Barring any complications or inclement weather, flashboard removal will be completed by

Friday, November 21, 2025. Unforeseen precipitation and/or high-water conditions may delay

this schedule. Should you have any questions, please contact Ian Kirby at 518- 287-6237.

 

*BCD refers to Barge Canal Datum

The Canal system closed to navigation at 6:00 pm on Monday, November 3, 2025.

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.

In case of emergencies, please call the Canal Corporation’s Emergency Call Center at 833-538-1042.