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Bridge Heights
In the tables below, the Normal Water Surface Elevation is the height above sea level at which a canal segment (pool) is typically maintained. The Normal Overhead Clearance is the height between this water surface and the bottom of a structure crossing over the waterway. During high stormwater flows, the pool elevation can be higher, but never higher than the Maximum Water Surface Elevation.
All elevations are in Barge Canal Datum (BCD), which was established prior to the NGVD29 or NAVD88 standards commonly found on other government websites. The current BCD water surface elevation can be obtained by calling the nearest lock and asking for the gage reading of either the upper or lower pool.
View Lock Information.
Bridge Heights Tables
Canal Speed Limits
New York State law gives the New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC) authority to set speed limits for safe operation of its waterways by all users (recreational and commercial).
Speed limits were established in Canal Regulations by the NYSCC under N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. To the extent practical, speed limits, including no wake zones, are posted on waterways. There are three types of waterways—dug canals, canalized lakes and canalized rivers.
For dug canals and canalized rivers (sections of Mohawk and Seneca rivers):
Speed limits, unless posted otherwise, are set at an “up to maximum mph” which means when conditions, including but not limited to, issues concerning safety, traffic and weather, users should travel at lower rates of speed.
For canalized lakes (Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca):
Speed limits, unless posted otherwise, depend on traffic conditions.
Speed limits are further defined by regulation for certain types of locations:
- Within 100 feet of a dock, pier, raft, watercraft, anchored or moored, speed shall not exceed five mph.
- In locations where waterskiing is allowed, within 100 feet of a dock, pier, raft, watercraft, anchored or moored, speed shall not exceed five mph, unless such user is operating near such dock, pier, raft, anchored or moored watercraft for the purpose of enabling a person engaged in water skiing to take off or land.
Penalties for speeding on any Canal waterway in the judgement of NYSCC staff and in violation of the regulation, are assessed by NYSCC staff.
- A fine up to $100 for each violation
- NYSCC staff, at the waterway the user first appears following the violation, can refuse passage for not more than six hours.
Champlain Canal
Speed limits, on Canal Map, are for the safety and enjoyment by all waterway users including but not limited to any motorized and nonmotorized watercraft
Weather, traffic, water levels, posted signs and no wake zones require users to reduce speeds for safety.
- Intersection of Hudson & Mohawk rivers to C-1: up to 30 MPH
- C-1 to C-4: up to 30 MPH
- C-4 to under Stillwater Bridge Road: 10 MPH
- Under Stillwater Bridge Road to C-5: up to 45 MPH
- C-5 through westside split of Hudson River: 10 MPH
- Westside split of Hudson River to C-6: up to 45 MPH
- C-6 to north of Guard Gate Crocker's Reef at Hudson River: 10 MPH
- Hudson River to C-7: up to 45 MPH
- C-7 to C-8: 5 MPH
- C-8 to C-12: 10 MPH
- There is no C-10
Erie Canal
Speed limits, on Canal Map, are for the safety and enjoyment by all waterway users including but not limited to any motorized and nonmotorized watercraft
Weather, traffic, water levels, posted signs and no wake zones require users to reduce speeds for safety.
- Enter Mohawk River at intersection of Hudson & Mohawk rivers to E-2: 5 MPH
- There is no E-1
- E-2 to E-6: 5 MPH
- E-6 to E-12: up to 45 MPH
- E-12 to E-16: up to 30 MPH
- E-16 to E-17: 10 MPH
- E-17 to Guard Gate #4: 5 MPH
- Guard Gate #4 to E-21: 10 MPH
- E-21 to Oneida Lake entrance at Sylvan Beach: 5 MPH
- Oneida Lake: up to No Speed Limit
- Exit Oneida Lake under I-81 Bridge to just before Cross Lake entrance: 10 MPH
- Just before Cross Lake Entrance to E-26: up to 30 MPH
- E-26 to E-32: 10 MPH
- E-32 to E-33: 5 MPH
- E-33 to E-34/35 (double lock): 10 MPH
- E-34/35 to north side of Ellicott Island Park: 10 MPH
- North side of Ellicott Island Park to Main/Webster Street bridge: 5 MPH
Oswego Canal
Speed limits, on Canal Map, are for the safety and enjoyment by all waterway users including but not limited to any motorized and nonmotorized watercraft
Weather, traffic, water levels, posted signs and no wake zones require users to reduce speeds for safety.
- Three Rivers Point to Oswego River to O-1: 10 MPH
- O-1 to O-2: 10 MPH
- O-2 to O-3: 5 MPH
- O-3 to O-6: 10 MPH
- O-6 to O-8: 5 MPH
Cayuga-Seneca Canal
Speed limits, on Canal Map, are for the safety and enjoyment by all waterway users including but not limited to any motorized and nonmotorized watercraft
Weather, traffic, water levels, posted signs and no wake zones require users to reduce speeds for safety.
- To Seneca Lake
- Cayuga-Seneca & Erie canals junction at Clyde River to CS-1: up to 30 MPH
- CS-1 to Seneca Lake: 10 MPH
- Seneca Lake: up to No Speed Limit
- Southern Seneca Lake at Watkins Glen to Montour Falls Navigation Channel: 5 MPH
- To Cayuga Lake
- Cayuga-Seneca & Erie canals junction at Clyde River to CS-1: up to 30 MPH
- Just south of CS-1 to Cayuga Lake: up to No Speed Limit
- Cayuga Lake at Cayuga Inlet to W Buffalo St bridge: 5 MPH
Onondaga Lake Cut
Speed limits, on Canal Map, are for the safety and enjoyment by all waterway users including but not limited to any motorized and nonmotorized watercraft
Weather, traffic, water levels, posted signs and no wake zones require users to reduce speeds for safety.
- Southern split of Seneca River to Onondaga Lake entrance: 5 MPH
- Onondaga Lake: up to No Speed Limit
- Onondaga Lake at Onondaga Crk Inner Harbor: 5 MPH
Genesee River
Speed limits, on Canal Map, are for the safety and enjoyment by all waterway users including but not limited to any motorized and nonmotorized watercraft
Weather, traffic, water levels, posted signs and no wake zones require users to reduce speeds for safety.
- Genesse River & Erie Canal junction (west of E-33 between West Guard Lock & East Guard Lock guard gates) north to Frederick Douglass Susan B. Anthony Bridge: 10 MPH
Boating Overview
Enjoy cruising the scenic New York State Canals. Whether you're experienced or setting out on the canals for the first time, you'll find everything you need to guarantee a safe and enjoyable time.