Erie Canal still working
04 June 2012
We were passing by the Erie Canal in Little Falls and saw this working barge going through. It's nice to see that the canal is still being used after all this time, we just wish it was more commerce as well as the transient boaters.
Here's just a brief history for you guys on the Erie Canal. Construction started in 1817 and completed in 1825 - 4 feet deep and 40 feet wide with 83 locks connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie, an increase in elevation of 568 feet.
She's seen some updating with the latest stint from 1903 to 1918 where it was widened to 120-200 feet and deepened to 12-14 feet and the locks reduced to 57. The Canal runs 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo.
Some day we'll get the kayaks on her and paddle between locks. should be lots of fun!