Canals/Boating

Recreational Boating

Get Canals boating information including hours of operation; locks, lift bridges and guard gate details; how to lock through the canals; a canals map; and more.

Lock Information

Lift Bridge Information

Canal Speed Limits

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.

Champlain Canal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guard Gate Information

Bridge Heights Information

How to Lock Through The Canals

Step 1: Approaching the Lock

On approach, hail the Lock Operator on Marine Channel 13, call using your mobile phone or by sounding three blasts on your horn to signal that you are approaching and require service. A red light indicates that the lock is not ready. Maintain a safe distance and stand by for a green light. Before entering the lock, ensure that fenders are properly positioned.

Step 2: Entering the Lock

A green light means that you are clear to proceed ahead. Enter the lock slowly and maintain line of approach. Once inside the lock chamber, station your vessel alongside the lock wall as directed by the Lock Operator.

Step 3: Inside the Lock Chamber

During the lockage, keep the bow and stern of your vessel close to the wall by looping line either to available holding apparatuses (pipes or cables, where available) or by holding the lines provided (except non-Canal-owned lock at Troy Federal, which only has pipes and cables). Do not tie lines. Serious injury can result from using your hands or feet to fend a moving boat off of a wall. Use a boat hook, paddle or oar. Do not wrap lines around hands or feet as lines may tighten and cause injury.

Step 4: Exiting the Lock

When the lock gates have fully open, take in your lines and shove off away from the wall. Proceed slowly out of the lock chamber. Maintain “lock limit” speed before increase to cruising speed.

Mooring

Vessels may moor at Canal Corporation docks or terminals up to 48 hours during a calendar month. Mooring at these facilities is free, with services such as electric, water and pumpouts available for a fee. Vessels looking to moor longer than 48 hours must apply for a permit. These permits are typically reserved for commercial or non-recreational vehicles, barring extenuating circumstances.

Recreational Boating