Notice

Flashboard Installation: Erie Canal - Lock E6 Crescent to Lock E7 Vischer Ferry

04/10/2026 01:43 PM

Notice to Mariners

Erie Canal – Crescent and Vischer Ferry

April 10, 2025

Spring Seasonal Installation of Flashboards at Crescent & Vischer Ferry Dams

The New York Power Authority, working with BIDCO Marine Group, will start flashboard installation activities at Crescent & Vischer Ferry dams starting Monday, April 13, 2026. These activities will cause fluctuations in water levels which may affect marinas, boats and docks.

The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, April 12 Overnight: A gradual drawdown begins at Vischer Ferry as water levels between Mohawk River / Erie Canal Lock E7 and E8 are lowered. Water levels will drop between 6 inches and 2 feet, depending on river flows at the time. The water drawdown is completed by Monday morning. (Elevation 211.0’ Barge Canal Datum)

Monday, April 13 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches. Flashboard pin sockets across the entire crest are cleaned for survey crews. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

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

Tuesday, April 14 Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at dam crest. Work Barge transits to Crescent Project. (Elevation 211.0’ BCD)

Overnight: A drawdown begins at Crescent as water levels between Mohawk River / Erie Canal Lock E6 and E7 are lowered. Water levels will drop between 6 inches and 2 feet, depending on river flows at the time. The water drawdown is completed by Wednesday morning. (Elevation 184.0’ BCD)

Wednesday, April 15 Morning: Water levels at Crescent drop approx. 6 inches. Flashboard pin sockets across the entire crest are cleaned for survey crews. (Elevation 183.5’ BCD)

Evening: Water levels at Crescent rise approx. 6 inches. (Elevation 184.0’ BCD)

Thursday, April 16 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches. Survey crew surveys flashboard pin sockets across crest. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

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

Friday, April 17 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches. Survey crew surveys flashboard pin sockets across crest. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

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

Monday, April 20 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches. Survey crew surveys flashboard pin sockets across crest. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

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

Tuesday, April 21 Morning: Water levels at Crescent drop approx. 6 inches. Survey crew surveys flashboard pin sockets across crest. (Elevation 183.5’ BCD)

Evening: Water levels at Crescent rise approx. 6 inches. (Elevation 184.0’ BCD)

Wednesday, April 22 Morning: Water levels at Crescent drop approx. 6 inches. Survey crew surveys flashboard pin sockets across crest. (Elevation 183.5’ BCD)

Evening: Water levels at Crescent rise approx. 6 inches. (Elevation 184.0’ BCD)

Thursday, April 23 Morning: Water levels at Crescent drop approx. 6 inches. Survey crew surveys flashboard pin sockets across crest. (Elevation 183.5’ BCD)

Evening: Water levels at Crescent rise approx. 6 inches. (Elevation 184.0’ BCD)

Friday, April 24 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches. Fish Deterrent system is installed. Flashboards are installed on Dam F. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

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

Monday, April 27 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches. Flashboards are installed on Dam D. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

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

Tuesday, April 28 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry drop approx. 6 inches. Flashboards are installed on Dam E. (Elevation 210.5’ BCD)

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

Wednesday, April 29 Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at dam crest. Work Barge transits to Crescent Project. (Elevation 211.0’ BCD)

Thursday, April 30 Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at dam crest. BIDCO mobilizes. (Elevation 211.0’ BCD)

Friday, May 1 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry rise from elevation 211.0’ BCD to 213.3’ BCD, navigation season levels.

Water levels at Crescent drop approx. 6 inches. Flashboards are installed on Crescent Dam A and Dam B. (Elevation 183.5’ BCD)

Afternoon: Flashboard installation at Crescent complete.

Evening: Water levels at Crescent rise to top of flashboards, navigation season levels, as river flow permits. (Elevation 185.0’ BCD)

Monday, May 4 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry will remain at navigation season levels. The work barge will transit to the Vischer Ferry Project. The downstream boat denial line will be installed. (Elevation 213.3’ BCD)

Tuesday, May 5 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at navigation season levels. Upstream Boat Denial Line mooring buoys will be installed. (Elevation 213.3’ BCD)

Wednesday, May 6 Morning: Water levels at Vischer Ferry remain at navigation season levels. Upstream Boat Denial Line buoy lines will be installed.

(Elevation 213.3’ BCD)

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

May 1, 2026. Unforeseen precipitation and/or high-water conditions may delay this schedule. Should

you have any questions, please contact Jonathon Williams at 518- 287-6340.

*BCD refers to Barge Canal Datum

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.