Locking Through the Erie Canal

There are 57 locks on the entire New York State Canal System. You will pass through 35 locks navigating the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo. Locks can be intimidating at first for the uninitiated but by the time you finish your journey, you will be an expert. Some basic knowledge of the operation is helpful. Locktenders on the system are very friendly and helpful to boaters so let them know if you are inexperienced or have questions.

What Is A Lock?

A lock is a water elevator. You come in on one floor and get out on the next. Large tunnels behind the walls are connected to portals along the chamber walls beneath the water surface, typically by manhole-sized openings that function either as inlets or drains. No pumps are used in the process. Gravity does its job and water seeks its own level. It takes the transfer of approximately 110,000 gallons to raise or lower the water level in the chamber one foot.

Preparing To Lock Through

Have your fenders out, ready your lines and boathooks, give crew instructions and evaluate the wind and how it may affect you once inside the lock. Gloves are recommended for handling and holding ropes.

A green light indicates you may proceed to enter the chamber. If the light is red, hold up at the stop line within the lock limits. If the wait is going to be more than several minutes, you might consider tying up along the wall. Allow other vessels to exit after the doors open before proceeding. If you are waiting downstream while the lock chamber is being emptied, significant water volume is added to the channel and the current will increase.

Entering A Lock

When entering a lock on the high side, stay far back at the stop line. Current increases toward the lock as water is drawn into the chamber. Allow other vessels to exit the lock and wait for the green light indicating it is safe to enter. Proceed slowly. If the locktender did not tell you which side to use, then you can choose. If other vessels are behind you, pull as far forward as needed.

Entering a lock is similar to docking. To secure your vessel along the wall, there are three types of lock attachments: pipes, cables and ropes. Pipes and cables area attached top and bottom. Loop a breast line from a mid-ship cleat or configure a spring line and use your power if necessary to stay along the wall. Ropes are weighted and not attached at the bottom so it is best to have a deckhand fore and aft to hold the lines. Ropes are slimy and muddy. Wear gloves!

The locktender will close the gates behind you and then walk to the opposite end to operate the valves to either fill or empty the chamber. You can hear a mechanical noise as the gate valves in the tunnels are lifted. Lights atop an equipment box indicate the position of the gate valves. Three lights indicate that the valve is wide open. Filling a lock creates current; emptying a lock does not.

The time it takes for the locktender to close the gates and walk to the other end of the lock provides adequate time to secure your vessel alongside the wall. If you experience any problems call the locktender on your radio. They carry portable radios and generally VHF radio transmissions are broadcast on a loudspeaker system. You may not be heard if you try shouting at the locktender. Wave your arms only as a distress signal.

As water enters the tunnels and the chamber through the portals, you will feel the current pushing you from the stern. The locktender will fill slowly at first and increase water volume as your level rises. In most situations, they try to operate the valves to keep a constant gentle pressure on your beam to help you stay on the wall.

Exiting A Lock

Wait until the doors are fully opened before exiting. Sometimes there can be a mechanical reason or debris preventing the gate from fully opening. If locking through with other boats, allow boats ahead of you to get underway. The order is first in, first out. Maintain a safe following distance. Slowly proceed and watch for any logs or debris that could impact your prop.

Erie Canal Locks

Lock 2 - Latitude 42° 47.3'    Longitude 73° 41.0'

Lock 7 - Latitude 42° 48.2'    Longitude 73° 50.8'

Lock 8 - Latitude 42° 49.7'    Longitude 73° 59.4'

Lock 9 - Latitude 42° 52.7'    Longitude 74° 02.5'

Lock 10 - Latitude 42° 55.0'    Longitude 74° 08.4'

Lock 11 - Latitude 42° 56.8'    Longitude 74° 12.6'

Lock 12 - Latitude 42° 56.8'    Longitude 74° 17.3'

Lock 13 - Latitude 42° 55.1'    Longitude 74° 26.7'

Lock 14 - Latitude 42° 54.6'    Longitude 74° 34.6'

Lock 15 - Latitude 42° 56.4'    Longitude 74° 37.3'

Lock 16 - Latitude 42° 59.5'    Longitude 74° 42.3'

Lock 17_ - Latitude 43° 02.3'    Longitude 74° 50.7'

Lock 18 - Latitude 43° 00.9'    Longitude 74° 55.0'

Ilion - Latitude 43° 01.3'    Longitude 75° 01.8'

Frankfort - Latitude 43° 02.6'    Longitude 75° 03.8'

Lock 19 - Latitude 43° 04.4'    Longitude 75° 06.8'

Lock 20 - Latitude 43° 08.5'    Longitude 75° 17.4'

Rome - Latitude 43° 12.1'    Longitude 75° 27.1'

Lock 21 - Latitude 43° 12.5'    Longitude 75° 37.1'

Lock 22 - Latitude 43° 12.6'    Longitude 75° 38.6'

Oneida Lake - Latitude 43° 11.3'    Longitude 75° 44.0'

Brewerton - Latitude 43° 14.3'    Longitude 76° 07.8'

Three Rivers - Latitude 43° 12.1'    Longitude 76° 16.8'

Onondaga Jct. - Latitude 43° 07.8'    Longitude 76° 15.3'

Lock 24 - Latitude 43° 09.3'    Longitude 76° 19.8'

Cross Lake - Latitude 43° 06.5'    Longitude 76° 28.0'

Lock 25 - Latitude 42° 59.9'    Longitude 76° 45.6'

Lock 26 - Latitude 43° 03.5'    Longitude 76° 50.3'

Lock 27 - Latitude 43° 03.7'    Longitude 76° 59.8'

Lock 28A - Latitude 43° 03.7'    Longitude 77° 01.0'

Lock 29 - Latitude 43° 03.9'    Longitude 77° 14.9'

Lock 30 - Latitude 43° 04.4'    Longitude 77° 18.1'

Fairport - Latitude 43° 06.0'    Longitude 77° 26.4'

Pittsford - Latitude 43° 05.5'    Longitude 77° 30.8'

Lock 32 - Latitude 43° 05.5'    Longitude 77° 32.5'

Lock 33 - Latitude 43° 05.7'    Longitude 77° 34.2'

Genesee River - Latitude 43° 07.3'_    Longitude 77° 38.4'

Spencerport - Latitude 43° 11.7'     Longitude 77° 48.2'

Adams Basin - Latitude 43° 11.7'    Longitude 77° 51.3'

Brockport - Latitude 43° 13.0'    Longitude 77° 56.1'

Holly - Latitude 43° 13.8'    Longitude 78° 01.3'

Hulberton - Latitude 43° 15.2'    Longitude 78° 04.0'

Albion - Latitude 43° 14.9'    Longitude 78° 11.6'

Eagle Harbor - Latitude 43° 15.1'    Longitude 78° 15.1'

Knowlesville - Latitude 43° 14.5'    Longitude 78° 18.6'

Medina - Latitude 43° 13.5'    Longitude 78° 23.6'

Middleport - Latitude 43° 11.9'    Longitude 78° 28.6'

Gasport - Latitude 43° 12.0'    Longitude 78° 34.7'

Locks 34/35 - Latitude 43° 10.3'    Longitude 78° 41.6'

Tonawanda - Latitude 43° 01.3'    Longitude 78° 52.9