WATERFORD CANAL

• USUZK
• Latitude: 42.7884
• Longitude: -73.6802
• US East Coast
• Marina in US

Location: US

Waterford Canal serves as an important historical and functional site within the U.S. maritime and canal systems.

Location

Waterford Canal is situated in Waterford, New York, where the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers converge. A key feature of the canal system, it is part of the broader New York State Canal System.

Historical Significance

Opened in 1825, the Waterford Canal played a crucial role in the economic development of the region, facilitating the movement of goods between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River and the Erie Canal.

Specifications

Canal Features

• Locks: Waterford is home to Lock E-2 to Lock E-6, part of the "Waterford Flight," which is the highest set of lift locks in the shortest distance within the Erie Canal. The flight allows for an elevation change of about 169 feet over just over 1.5 miles.
• Dimensions: The typical lock dimensions in the Erie Canal, which includes Waterford, are about 328 feet in length and 45 feet in width. These dimensions accommodate the standard canal barge dimensions.

Navigation and Depth

• Depth: The minimum depth in the navigable channel of the Waterford section of the Erie Canal is approximately 12 feet.
• Width: The navigable channel is typically around 100 feet wide, though this can vary depending on the location and year-to-year sedimentation changes.

Facilities

• Mooring: Waterford’s harbor facilities provide mooring spaces with amenities for transient and long-term vessels.
• Services: The harbor provides essential services such as fueling, potable water, restrooms, and sometimes repair services.
• Recreational Facilities: There are parks, visitor centers, and a range of recreational activities available, reflecting the canal’s dual role in transportation and tourism.

Infrastructure

• Bridges: Several bridges span the canal in Waterford, designed to accommodate both modern vehicular traffic and meet the height requirements for vessels navigating the canal.

Maritime Use

• Commercial: Today, commercial traffic is much reduced from its peak, but the canal still supports some barge traffic, particularly for local materials and agricultural products.
• Recreational: Recreational boating has become a dominant use, supporting a variety of vessels including pleasure boats, kayaks, and canoes.

Connectivity

• East-West Connection: The Waterford Canal connects to the Erie Canal heading west and offers a thoroughfare to the Great Lakes.
• North-South Connection: It connects to the Champlain Canal, which provides a route to the St. Lawrence River and Canada to the north, and to New York Harbor to the south.

Environmental and Economic Impact

• Economic: The canal continues to provide economic benefits through tourism and local business activity related to boating and heritage tourism.
• Environmental: There are ongoing efforts to manage and preserve the canal environment, addressing issues such as water quality, invasive species, and sedimentation.

Modern Day Use

• The Waterford Canal is an integral part of New York's heritage and continues to be used for both its historical value and modern utility in recreational and limited commercial navigation.

This mix of historical significance, functional infrastructure, and contemporary usage makes the Waterford Canal a unique and important part of the U.S. maritime infrastructure.