Operations & Public Projects

The NYS Canal System is operated and maintained by the NYS Canal Corporation. Keeping it safe, resilient and ready for your visit are the goals of our Operations & Maintenance team.

The Canal System is 524-miles of navigable waterways including the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals. It also operates and maintains about 150 miles of the Canalway Trail that in its entirety spans 365 miles of hiking and biking paths between Buffalo and Albany, and from Albany to Whitehall. The Canalway Trail is part of the Empire State Trail, the nation’s longest multiuse in-state recreational trail network.

Canals infrastructure

More than a basic network of waterways, the New York State Canals are segmented and managed by a series of locks, lift bridges, guard gates, and movable dams that control water flow and vessel traffic. What follows is an overview of the various structures you might see during your visit.

Locks

Enclosures that allow for water level control and must be navigated in specific ways by mariners and paddlers.

Taintor Gates

Vertically moving flood gates with curved surfaces used to control or divert the flow of water.

Lift Bridges

Movable bridges running perpendicular to the canal, allowing road traffic to cross over and water traffic to pass under while bridges are raised.

Guard Gates

Emergency gates used to isolate a damaged section of waterway in case of a canal wall break.

Movable Dams

Dams that can be raised or lowered depending on canal flow conditions and navigation needs.

Power Houses

Power Houses are distinctive white buildings found at most locks where, when the NYS Barge Canal opening in the early 20th century, electricity was generated on site to power the lock gates and valves.