How Much Does It Cost To Use The Erie Canal?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Vessel Size Seasonal Pass Ten-Day Pass Under 16 ft. (4.88 meters)

$25.00


$12.50
16 ft. – Under 26 ft. (4.88 meters) – (7.93 meters) $50.00 $25.00 26 ft. – 39 ft. (7.93 meters) – (11.89 meters) $75.00 $37.50 Over 39 ft. (11.89 meters) $100.00 $50.00

Do you have to pay to use the Erie Canal?


Boating on the Erie Canal will be free again this year

as state officials continue a celebration of the canal’s long history. Another aspect of the celebration — a $2.5 million Reimagine the Canal competition — drew nearly 150 entries from around the world, canal officials said Wednesday.

Is Erie Canal expensive?

The original Erie Canal cost

$7 million to build

and this was carried out over the years 1818 to 1825.

How many years did it take to pay off the Erie Canal cost?

The canal was completed in only

8 years

at a cost of $7,000,000. When completed on October 26, 1825, DeWitt Clinton (by then Governor of New York) boarded a vessel, the Seneca Chief, in Buffalo and headed to New York City.

Can you still navigate the Erie Canal?

The navigation season for the Erie Canal is the same as for the rest of the New York State Canal System with the exception of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Typically,

mid-May through October or November

with the standard hours of operation being from 0700 to 1700 daily.

How deep is the Erie Canal now?

JUST THE FACTS Canal dimensions, 1918- present Erie Barge Canal

12-23 ft deep

x 120-200 ft wide; locks 310 ft long
Cost to build $7,143,789 Return on Investment 10 years Number of aqueducts to bypass rivers and streams 18

Can you boat on the Erie Canal?


Boating is free and no permit is needed to go through a lock

. Lock tenders are on hand to assist you and make your experience going through the locks easy and enjoyable. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to go through a lock. Power boats and paddlers share the canal, so be mindful of speed limits and wakes.

How did they dig the Erie Canal?

Instead, the thickly forested land was cleared and the 40-foot wide canal was dug and the locks were constructed by the

raw manpower of an estimated 50,000 laborers

, including a large contingent of recently arrived Irish immigrants.

Why was travel on the Erie Canal so popular?

The completion in 1825 of the Erie Canal (below), connecting Lake Erie with the Hudson River, was an event of major importance in Michigan history because it

greatly facilitated the transportation of passengers and freight between the eastern seaboard and Michigan ports

.

How many Irish died building the Erie Canal?

While there are no official records of immigrant deaths,

somewhere between 8,000 and 30,000

are believed to have perished in the building of the New Basin Canal, many of whom are buried in unmarked graves in the levee and roadway fill beside the canal.

What is the most scenic part of the Erie Canal?

  • Harbor Visitor Center: Gateway to the Canals (Waterford, Saratoga County) …
  • Historic Mabee House and Museum (Rotterdam Junction, Schenectady County) …
  • Amsterdam, N.Y. (Montgomery County) …
  • Gems Along the Mohawk (Herkimer, Herkimer County) …
  • Erie Canal Museum (Syracuse, Onondaga County)

Is the Erie Canal Scenic?

The Erie Canal Tow path is a great place to run, bike, or walk. It’s flat, safe, and scenic. It goes through some great towns.

How long does it take to cross the Erie Canal?

How long does it take to cruise between Albany and Buffalo on the Erie Canal? One should budget a

minimum of five (5) days

to cruise between Albany and Buffalo on the Erie.

Is the Erie Canal dirty?

Their response: the canal in our area

is labeled as being clean

, having only what the DEC calls “minor impacts.” That’s mainly due to nutrients or runoff from farms, nothing that could cause any health issues. A department spokesperson says boating, paddleboarding, and fishing is okay but swimming is not encouraged.

Is it safe to swim in the canal?

Canals can be very dangerous, so please follow these canal safety tips to avoid drowning or injury:

Don’t swim in canals — ever

! … Canal sides are extremely slick, making it difficult to get out. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and tubing are not allowed on the canals.

What is the deepest point of Lake Erie?

With a mean surface height of 570 feet (170 metres) above sea level, Erie has the smallest mean depth (62 feet) of the Great Lakes, and its deepest point is

210 feet

.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.