Boater’s Resource
Navigation Season & Operating Hours
The New York State Canal System operates in 2021 from mid-May 15 through mid-October, weather permitting. Operation of Canal System segments is subject to the latest water and weather conditions. The standard hours of operation are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tolls and fees for recreational vessels on the New York State Canal System have been waived through 2021.
Canal System Statistics
Segment Mileage
Erie Canal — 338 miles
Champlain Canal — 60 miles
Oswego Canal — 24 miles
Cayuga-Seneca Canal — 12 miles
(including Cayuga Lake to Ithaca and Seneca Lake to Watkins Glen and Montour Falls: approximately 90 miles.)
Total Mileage — 524 miles
Lock Dimensions — 328’ long, 45’ wide
(Area available for vessels: 300’ long, 43.5’ wide)
Locks & Bridges —There are a total of 57 locks and 17 lift bridges on the Canal System (including the lateral canals).
Navigational Aids
Navigational aids on the New York Canal System conform to the U.S. Coast Guard lateral system of buoys (red right return). Note that the buoys reverse from red on starboard (right) to red on port (left), north of Champlain Canal Lock 12 at Whitehall, and on the entire length of the Oswego Canal. Failures and displacements of navigational aids may occur. Please report discrepancies in navigational aids to Canal staff. For navigational information with water depths, visitcanals.ny.gov/navinfo/index.html#water.
For bridge heights and channel depths, visit canals.ny.gov/boating/bridgeheights.html.
Navigation Charts
The New York State Canal Corporation recommends that boaters carry the latest edition of navigation charts on board — Chart #14786. Charts may be downloaded from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — https://charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14786.shtml and at some local bookstores, marinas and boat chandleries. Charts may also be downloaded from the rightmost column of the Navigation Information page on www.canals.ny.gov. There are no NOAA charts available between mile 222 and 337 of the Erie Canal (including the Genesee River). For these waterway reaches mapping from the Canal Corporation Cruising Guide is posted instead.
Customs
Masters of foreign flag vessels must report arrivals immediately to U.S. Customs at the first U.S. port of entry. Boaters entering Canadian waters must contact a reporting station at their first opportunity. Detailed instructions can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency websites or by calling:
• U.S. Customs: 800-827-2851
• Canadian Customs: 888-266-7277
Customs check is also available at Gateway Harbor, North Tonawanda.
New York State Boaters Guide
For more information on boating in New York State, please
visit parks.ny.gov/recreation/boating/ or call 518-474-0456.
Canal System Numbers to Know
Emergencies 911
Canal Conditions/Boater
Resources/Navigation & Boating 518-449-6024
Canal Tourism Information 518-449-6028
Canalway Trail Information 518-449-6038
For more information on canal use, please visit canals.ny.gov
Mast Services
The list of marinas providing mast services for transiting the NYSCS is available at canals.ny.gov and search: Marinas and Public Docks.
The docking fee schedule for Gateway Harbor is as follows:
With Electric and Water:
Commercial boats $50.00
25’ and under boats $30.00
26’ to 40’ boats ..... $35.00
41’ and over boats .$40.00
Without Electric and Water:
Commercial boats $50.00
25’ and under boats $25.00
26’ to 40’ boats .......$30.00
41’ and over boats ..$35.00
Daily Fees (daily until 10:00 p.m., with or
without electric):
25’ and under boats $15.00
26’ to 40’ boats .......$20.00
41’ and over boats ..$25.00
Commercial boats ..$35.00
