Wed. June 4    

0 miles        Waterford, NY

We spent another day sightseeing and relaxing in Waterford. Tomorrow we start our travel through the Erie Canal. The dock we are tied to at the Visitor center looks at the first lock we need to go through and is about 400 yards away. We took a walk to the lock to day and walked around checking it out. Right next to the existing lock is part of the original canal system that was built in 1825. The Erie Canal was built to connect New York to the Great Lakes. It consists of 36 locks with a combined total elevation of 565 feet. The original canal was 40’ wide and 4’ deep. Present day the canal is 123’ wide and 12’ deep.

 

 1st lock entrance is on the left.

 

 Original canal.

 

 

Present day, 1st lock of the canal.

 

 New and old system side by side.