Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Canal TaskForceReport
Canal TaskForceReport
JANUARY 2020
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Tainter gates
at Lock CS-1
LETTER FROM
THE CO-CHAIRS
The opportunity to lead the Reimagine the Canals
Task Force has been immensely gratifying for all
three of us. As former state and county officials,
each of us knows well the Erie Canal – but in our Waterford, NY this short effort. This includes both public
institutions – such as SUNY’s College
has just begun. As we work together toward
realizing these goals, we will inevitably
wildest dreams could never have imagined a vision of Environmental Science and Forestry, encounter challenges – much like the
Rockefeller Institute and Monroe Community visionaries behind the 19th century Erie
for its future as ambitious and exciting as the one College – and private ones, including Union Canal and its successor, the 20th century
we present in the pages that follow. College and Clarkson University. It includes
federal agencies, such as the US Geological
Barge Canal. As they were convinced of the
wisdom of their ambitions, so too are we.
Survey and Corps of Engineers, and New The bicentennial of the original Erie Canal
This Task Force report lays out a bold and diversity of voices and opinions presented in York State ones – most notably the six offers an opportune moment to reinvent
inspiring vision that builds on the Canal this report provide a clear road map for the agencies who participated directly in the and reinvest in our shared legacy, and
System’s legacy by leveraging and adaptively transformation that lies ahead. Task Force. we look forward to working with groups
reusing its unique ability to control one of represented by Task Force members, with
our State’s most precious resources – its We want to graciously thank our fellow Task The process of seeing through the work of New York State agencies and the Governor,
water. The Task Force was formed as a Force members who provided their time this Task Force has been educational for and with communities along the corridor to
response to the many compelling ideas and expertise to ensure that our work was all three of us. Despite our respective years realize a vibrant third century for this storied
submitted to the New York Power Authority’s grounded in a fine-grained understanding of experience in government, no single waterway.
Reimagine the Canals ideas competition in of the inter-related challenges and individual could ever hope to fully understand
2017. From ecologic restoration to economic opportunities that the last half century of the issues touching canalside communities
regeneration and from agricultural irrigation change has left in its wake. We benefitted across more than 350 miles of our great state.
to flood mitigation, the Task Force studied a greatly from their diverse knowledge Every town, village, and city along the Canal Joanie Mahoney, Task Force Chair
wide array of challenges and opportunities bases - scientists, farm experts, former has its own specific culture, industrial history,
facing canal communities. elected officials, geologists, developers, and set of physical challenges. By dividing the
environmental and preservation advocates, work into three watersheds – the Western,
The findings presented in this report are the fishermen, boaters, and marina owners, all of the Central and the Mohawk - we were able to Joe Martens, Task Force Co-Chair
product of Task Force member meetings, whom conveyed the concerns of their own engage in a depth of analysis and discussion
public engagement sessions, stakeholder constituencies. that could not otherwise have been achieved
focus groups, and hundreds of hours of over such a short period.
expert consultation. While no analysis We also want to thank the institutions Bob Duffy, Task Force Co-Chair
undertaken over a six-month period could participating in our effort, whose work in Though our panel’s deliberations are
be fully comprehensive, we believe the shaping New York State goes far beyond complete, the task of delivering this vision
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Marking the beginning of the third century of the Pittsford, NY round in towns throughout the Mohawk River designed to keep up the momentum initiated
Valley. With 40 percent of the State’s water by local and state projects, most notably
New York State Canal System, the Reimagine the bodies connected to the NYS Canal System, the imminent completion of portions of the
the growth of recreational boating and fishing Empire State Trail running along the Erie
Canals Task Force was convened in May of 2019 by across the State is separately threatened by Canal from Albany to Buffalo.
Governor Andrew Cuomo to determine how this a rise in aquatic invasive species within, or
poised to travel through, the canal vector. And Acknowledging the diversity of communities
historic infrastructure asset can be mobilized anew water quality remains a major issue across the
State – most notably in Mohawk Valley towns,
and economies located across more than
360 miles of the Erie spine, Task Force work
to promote the health and well-being of upstate New some of whom draw water from the Canal. was undertaken both in plenary sessions
and in subcommittees devoted to each of
York’s communities, economies, and ecosystems. The Task Force attempted to address and three regions: the Mohawk Region, running
balance these opportunities and threats. Its approximately from Waterford to Rome; the
This panel, comprised of community leaders embrace new land use patterns and modes work was largely inspired by the Reimagine Central Region, embracing the Finger Lakes
and experts in canal-related fields, worked of development to stabilize populations and the Canals competition run by the New area through Oneida Lake; and the Western
over the ensuing six months to review studies encourage new industries and tourism. Recent York Power Authority (NYPA) in 2017, Region, from Macedon to Buffalo. This report
and analyses that addressed a wide array of investments by the State have supported and which produced innovative ideas for canal contains both system-wide findings and
challenges and opportunities and to develop facilitated these changes, recognizing the shift activation. But it also builds on work being recommendations relating specifically to
its own set of findings. This report outlines the from commercial to recreational use along the done by a variety of state agencies actively those individual regions.
panel’s work. waterway and priming towns along the Erie engaged in upstate economic development
spine to engage in adaptive reuse of land, and resilience – the Department of The Task Force’s system-wide
The Reimagine the Canals initiative takes buildings and infrastructure. Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Office recommendations recognize opportunities
place at an important juncture. Over the of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to expand and improve existing recreational
last half century, commercial shipping on Yet challenges to fully realizing the waterway (OPRHP), Empire State Development uses and also introduce new ones. A
the Erie Canal declined and then largely as an economic development engine over the (ESD), the Department of Agriculture and series of recommendations for immediate
disappeared – a reflection of the decline of course of the next century are significant. Markets, NYPA’s Canal Corporation and operational improvements have been
manufacturing industry in towns along its Climate change increasingly threatens upstate the Department of State. Together, the made, most notably enhanced coordination
route. In response to this structural change, New York with extreme, unpredictable weather Task Force’s 25 appointed members and six among the constituencies that oversee and
and to the demographic shifts it caused, - ranging from damaging summer droughts in ex-officio agency nominees reached broad manage programs relating to the Canal and
canalside communities have been required to western New York to chronic flooding year- consensus on a variety of recommendations unified marketing and branding to greatly
widen its renown and appeal. A range of new canal uses from being undermined by
new economic development opportunities future invasive outbreaks. Further study of
were identified for near-term investment. strategies to counter invasives is warranted
Novel forms of water recreation, including to protect and enhance New York’s waterways
paddleboarding, rafting, surfing, and ice- and the businesses that depend on them.
skating, can strengthen tourism and build
on existing recreational boating activity as The Mohawk Region, due to its riverine
well as tap into ecotourism trends. “Iconic nature, continues to be plagued by flooding
Infrastructure” destinations should be from summer storms and winter ice jams,
identified, to create year-round tourist both of which are exacerbated by the
attractions and a backdrop for community changing climate. The Task Force recognized
celebrations. Improvements in overnight there are significant opportunities to
accommodations can support forecasted mitigate the effects of ice jams, reduce
growth in tourism and recreation, enabling summer flooding, and improve forecasting
visitors to stay longer and spend more in canal and early-warning systems in ways that
towns. Redevelopment of industrial property allow residents to better prepare for flood
held by the Canal Corporation should be events and lead to the benefits that come
pursued at scale, activating now-moribund from reviving natural systems. The Task Force
downtown waterfronts. New connections also recommends further study into Mohawk
to the Empire State Trail should be made, tributary restoration, which could prove
providing better access to the trail from towns, an important method for enhancing water
cultural and educational institutions, and quality and improving the health of fish and
hospitality destinations. wildlife habitats in this region.
In the Western Region, existing Canal Together, the findings laid out by the
infrastructure can be adaptively reused to Reimagine the Canals Task Force offer a road
greatly strengthen rural economies. Using Erie map for transformation - not simply from an
Canal water to expand agricultural irrigation industrial to a recreational waterway but also
will enable farmers to invest in high-value to a 21st century tool for communities to meet
crops, such as apples or other fruits and and overcome unprecedented economic and
vegetables, safeguarding these crops against environmental challenges.
the increasing droughts, which are forecast
to accompany climate change. Recreational
fishing growth in Lake Ontario tributaries will
result from more reliable access to canal water,
optimizing fish habitats and greatly expanding
opportunities for angling-related tourism.
INTRODUCTION
New York State Canal System
OSWEGO CHAMPLAIN
LOCKPORT ROCHESTER CANAL Oneida Lake CANAL
ROME
To
Lake UTICA
Erie SYRACUSE
BUFFALO CAYUGA-SENECA
CANAL
SCHENECTADY
ALBANY
Seneca Lake Cayuga Lake
Stretching from Albany to Buffalo, perhaps no Revitalization Program, and the Canalway Grant • Find new opportunities to enhance
Program have helped activate waterfronts recreation and tourism along the
single piece of infrastructure is more responsible along the Canal and continue to do so. Places Erie Canal
like Pittsford, Baldwinsville and Fairport have
for New York’s rise as a state, and New York City’s become models for adaptive reuse of waterside • Assess how the Erie Canal can help
rise as a global capital, than the storied Erie Canal. infrastructure. Most recently, the Reimagine the
Canals Ideas Competition, undertaken by NYPA,
mitigate impacts from flooding and ice
jams to improve resiliency and restore
provided initial funding for the development ecosystems in canal communities
The 1817 plan to build a man-made ditch years, including maintaining and operating the of a new form of canalside housing on former
across hundreds of miles of wilderness was costly infrastructure designed for its original industrial lands on a historic section of the • Identify opportunities for using Erie Canal
unprecedented in its reach—one of the most commercial uses. Canal - a “pocket neighborhood” in Canastota, infrastructure to expand irrigation for
ambitious American engineering visions New York. Western New York farms
of all time. The construction of the original In the absence of commercial traffic,
Erie Canal, and its expansion and eventual recreational use along the waterway and To explore these opportunities further, the The Task Force’s findings, described on the
replacement by the present Barge Canal over its trail has grown steadily over the last Reimagine the Canals Task Force was convened pages that follow, represent a bold, forward-
the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries, several decades. Motorized boating is now by Governor Cuomo in May 2019 to investigate looking vision designed to anchor resilient
supported the growth of industries across accompanied by kayaking, canoeing and other how the Erie Canal can be used as a catalyst for communities and improve the quality of life for
its breadth - powering the development of forms of human-powered boating; biking, economic development and tourism, improved the 3.6 million New Yorkers who live along the
towns such as Schenectady, Amsterdam, Utica, walking and running along the trail have quality of life, and environmental resiliency. Erie Canal’s spine. Harnessing the full potential
Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. expanded as well. The number of community- Chaired by Joanie Mahoney, former Onondaga of this unique piece of infrastructure could
based events, such as concerts and festivals, County Executive, the Task Force was asked to: transform the future for these New Yorkers
Yet over the last half century, commercial has increased significantly and these now take and many others and cement the State’s place
shipping on the Erie Canal waned and place seasonally across the breadth of the • Identify potential new uses for the Erie as a leader in the fight against the ravages of
then virtually disappeared. Changing trade Canal. Canal aimed at improving the quality of climate change.
patterns and industrial decline, as well as life for New Yorkers
competition from alternative modes of At the same time, under Governor Cuomo’s
transport, have left the waterway devoid leadership, new forms of investment have • Evaluate how the Erie Canal can support
of the barges it was designed to serve. The supported the transformation of canalside and enhance economic development along
Canal, however, continues to be operated communities. Programs like the Downtown the canal corridor
much as it has been for the past hundred Revitalization Initiative, the Local Waterfront
MEMBERS
Chair; Central Region
TASK FORCE
SUPPORT
BuroHappold Engineering served as lead going forward. The Rockefeller Institute also
consultant and secretariat to the Task Force. In collected information online from Canal users
addition to coordinating Task Force meetings across the country. A link to the full report is
and producing this report on behalf of the provided in the Appendices to the Task Force
panel, the firm commissioned and managed report.
a group of sub-consultants to undertake
technical analysis for each of the topics under Following the Rockefeller Institute’s
evaluation by the Task Force. A list of these engagement with the general public, in
sub-consultants as well as information about September 2019, a separate series of
their reports is found in the Appendices. stakeholder focus groups was organized by
BuroHappold with the assistance of Task
To assist in and inform its mission, the Force members. These brought together
Task Force appointed SUNY’s Rockefeller experts from government, academia, private
Institute of Government to simultaneously industry, business owners, community leaders
carry out a community engagement process. and non-profit advocacy organizations
The Institute held five open community to further explore the concepts and
engagement sessions across the Canal corridor opportunities raised in the public workshop
in July 2019, attended by a total of 400 sessions. The input from these sessions also
participants. Additionally, over 250 comments helped to inform and shape the findings
were submitted to the Rockefeller Institute’s detailed in this Task Force report.
online survey tool for the public engagement
process. The Institute’s goals were to (1) share
innovative concepts from the Reimagine the
Canals Ideas Competition and precedents
for waterway revitalization, (2) gather and
report on the concerns and ideas of canalside
communities, (3) identify projects likely to
Community engagement
increase Canal engagement, and (4) encourage
workshops in Schenectady public participation in Canal transformation
and Brockport, July 2019
A HISTORY OF
REIMAGINATION
The story of the Erie Canal is the story of America: Historic map showing
19th century and
converted seasonally into a series of navigable
pools for deep-draft vessels.1
maintained and operated for commercial traffic.
In 2000, Congress established the Erie
proposed 20th century
a story of leadership in innovation and industry, Erie Canal routes Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which,
While the Barge Canal did attract a significant together with the non-profit Erie Canalway
of westward expansion, and of courage, foresight, amount of cargo in its early decades, Heritage Fund, partners with federal, state,
increasingly stiff competition from railroads and local organizations to preserve the
and agile adaptation in the face of changing and new competition from roads and highways Canal’s history, provide recreational and
circumstances. would make its success short-lived. Commercial
traffic on the system as a whole peaked in 1951
educational opportunities, and foster economic
revitalization. In 2014, the Barge Canal was
and, partially due to the opening of the St. designated as a National Historic District in the
In 1817, New York Governor DeWitt Clinton As the 19th century wore on, the Canal Lawrence Seaway in 1959, has declined steadily National Register of Historic Places.
approved funding for a wildly imaginative struggled to accommodate traffic and since. Today, no regular commercial traffic
construction project: a canal that would cut increasingly large barges. Between 1836 and remains on the Erie Canal portion of the Barge As the Erie Canal enters its third century, it also
clear across New York State, connecting the 1862, the original Erie Canal—sometimes Canal. stands poised for its third reimagining. The year
Hudson River to Lake Erie. Before the Erie called “Clinton’s Ditch”—was made wider and 2017 marked 200 years since construction on
Canal, a traveler between Albany and Buffalo deeper, resulting in what became known as Recognizing the decline in commercial the Erie Canal began. That year, control of the
would face a two-week journey on roads that the “enlarged Canal.” But commercial shipping shipping, New York State undertook a number Barge Canal shifted to NYPA, the Reimagine
baked in the summer and dissolved in a sea continued to outgrow the Canal – and was of initiatives in the late 20th century to the Canals competition was launched, the NYS
of mud in winter; after the Canal opened in increasingly shifting to rail. In an attempt to examine opportunities for recreation along the Canal System was designated as a National
1825, that same trip could take five days. The compete with the railroads for freight, New York waterway. In 1992, the New York State Thruway Historic Landmark, and construction began on
Canal thus provided a critical supply line that State approved an ambitious plan to deploy Authority took ownership of the Barge Canal, the Empire State Trail - nearly half of which runs
in many ways “made the nation,” moving trade new technologies to ‘canalize’ the Mohawk, and the New York State Canal Recreationway alongside the asset. These actions set the stage
and settlement from the east coast into the Oswego, Seneca, and Clyde Rivers (i.e., building Commission was created to advise on canal- for the visioning, engagement and analysis
center of the country. Its innovative engineering canal infrastructure in the rivers themselves) related activities. The Commission developed undertaken by the Reimagine the Canals Task
contributed to the founding of upstate New and reroute the central portion of the Erie Canal the Canal Recreationway Plan in 1995 and the Force.
York’s many excellent engineering and science north through Oneida Lake. The reimagined New York State Canal Revitalization Program
1 The Barge Canal System consisted of four separate
universities, such as Rochester Institute of and relocated “New York State Barge Canal” in 1996. These plans laid an early foundation canals: the relocated Erie, the Cayuga-Seneca
Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute opened in 1918, with its Erie section featuring a for the repositioning of the Canal as a spine of (connecting Cayuga and Seneca Lakes to the Erie Canal),
the Oswego (following the path of the Oswego River from
and Union College. deeper and wider channel as well as dams along recreation and tourism, yet were subject to the Baldwinsville and Clay to Oswego) and the Champlain
the Mohawk River that allowed the river to be constraint that the Barge Canal continue to be (running north from Troy into Lake Champlain).
LOOKING FORWARD
Opportunities
T
Today, the Erie Canal (“the Canal”) operates Beyond the Trail itself, the canal waterfront
seasonally from May to October as a has served to stimulate regeneration and
AF
recreational waterway. During what is referred redevelopment in communities along its banks.
to as “the navigation season,” most boaters Supported by a variety of state programs,
spend time cruising ‘pools’ of water between recent development projects in communities
locks; only about 24 percent of users travel such as Fairport, Pittsford, Baldwinsville, Little
through a lock, the majority of them in Falls, Amsterdam and Schenectady have proven
the Central region. Motorized boating still the viability of diverse types of canalside
dominates on much of the Canal, but human- development and new waterfront public spaces.
powered recreation - such as paddleboarding Regular programming in other canal towns
DR
and kayaking - is growing rapidly: between attract visitors from nearby communities,
2011 and 2016, the number of human-powered primarily but not exclusively during the
boat lockages nearly tripled, and the Canal summertime navigation season.
Corporation presently maintains over 125
kayak launches. Other factors suggest that the Canal is ripe
for a reimagining. Opportunities to attract
Most regular users of the Canal, however, are tourists from other locations are close at hand,
not on the water at all. The 750-mile long thanks to the steady flow of tourists who
Empire State Trail, which upon completion in already visit upstate New York every year;
2020 will be the longest multi-use trail network the Canal is within an hour’s drive of Niagara
in the nation, runs alongside the towpath of Falls, the Adirondacks, and the Finger Lakes. A
the original Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo. burgeoning millennial population coming out
Known as the Canalway Trail, this 360-mile of upstate universities offers opportunities to
path is heavily used as a place of landside expand local population bases, and constitutes
recreation in its fully completed sections – a receptive audience for human-powered
most notably along the channelized, western boating as well as new and innovative forms
portions of the Canal. The Trail provides the of canal activity. With increased recreational
communities along its banks with a place to opportunities and improved branding and
bike, walk and run – or simply relax and enjoy marketing, the Canal could take its place among Programming and
views of the water. New York State’s most popular attractions. events in Amsterdam
and the Tonawandas
Challenges
As commercial shipping on the Canal has Orleans Counties threaten the future of the
declined, so too have the populations of cities State’s primary region for fruit and vegetable
along its path. Cities like Buffalo, Rochester production. Even in otherwise wet years,
and Syracuse – industrial powerhouses during periods of drought can significantly lower the
the era of waterborne transportation – are quality and yield of agricultural products. The
now much smaller than they were even a half absence of natural aquifers in the area leaves
century ago. farmers in that region particularly vulnerable
to these incidences of drought: Western New
Apart from declining population and use, York faced a 43 percent crop yield loss on
the Canal’s infrastructure itself is now a average during the 2016 drought, making it the
century old – with much of it approaching hardest-hit region in New York State.
the end of its useful life. Major components
of this industrial-sized infrastructure, such as Challenges to the resilience of canal regions
the locks, movable dams, and guard gates, and their economies go beyond climate
constructed expressly to support commercial change. By connecting bodies of water that
use, require either replacement or increased had historically been isolated, the Canal
maintenance. The total budget for the Canal inadvertently created opportunities for aquatic
System is rising rapidly: while historic costs invasive species to easily spread from the
have been between $90M and $100M annually, Great Lakes through New York waterways,
total capital and operating costs during the undermining the natural ecosystem balance
last two years have increased to $125M and and leading to consequences such as depleted
$140M respectively. fish populations and the proliferation of
hydrilla and harmful algal blooms among
Canal infrastructure and the communities others. At the same time, canal infrastructure
it abuts face significant climate-related and has changed the natural flows of the Mohawk
resilience challenges – challenges that are River, disconnecting it from its tributaries
more acute with each decade. Floods have and significantly impacting the health of
been recorded in the Mohawk River Valley the watershed as a whole. Such damage to
since the 1600s, but climate change has ecosystems ripples across local economies
increased the frequency and intensity of as the number and quality of birding, fishing,
flood-inducing storms: four of the region’s ecotourism, and boating opportunities
six most destructive floods have taken place diminishes.
Commercial Shipping and Upstate Population Decline in the last ten years and studies indicate
that flood levels in the Mohawk Valley could The size and scope of the Erie Canal make it a
rise nearly 20 percent over the next decade. powerful tool for shaping the future of upstate
Recent ice jams have further increased the communities. The Task Force’s findings offer
risk of severe flooding along the Mohawk strategies to adaptively reuse the unique water
River, with 8- to 17-mile ice jams recorded in control systems that power the Erie Canal in
the Canal above Schenectady in 2017 and ways that anchor more resilient communities,
2018. Both winter and summer flooding events provide expanded and new recreational
contribute to the capital costs associated with opportunities, revive damaged ecosystems,
canal infrastructure, in addition to the losses and improve quality of life for the 3.6 million
incurred in canal communities. New Yorkers who live along its spine. In doing
Flooding at Lock E-10, so, the Task Force intends to set precedents
June 2006
Climate change has also impacted canal for reimagining yesterday’s infrastructure to
Water chestnut growth in communities in western New York. Increasingly address the challenges of today and seize the
the Finger Lakes severe droughts in Niagara, Monroe, and opportunities of tomorrow.
INTRODUCTION
Rome, NY
THE WESTERN
REGION
The Western region is loosely anchored by two Canal. Farmers with property adjacent to the
of New York’s largest cities, Buffalo in the west Canal or streams have the option of siphoning
and Rochester in the east, but is largely rural. water from the system for seasonal irrigation
In this region, the Erie Canal is entirely a man- when it is available.
made channel supported by earthen berms
with a uniform width and depth (unlike other Western New York also boasts some of
regions where the Canal is mainly ‘riverine’ and the best recreational fishing in the State, a
manipulates the flows of a river). Small streams main driver of tourism in this largely rural
flow north to Lake Ontario, which is 270 feet area. Flows from canal waste weirs enhance
lower than the man-made waterway. They conditions in the tributaries running north
serve as an outlet for many of the Canal’s 16 to Lake Ontario - particularly in October
Brockport, NY waste weirs, which are gates raised or lowered or November, when the Canal is emptied.
to maintain water levels in the Canal and to Brown-trout fishermen and others overwhelm
empty it during the winter for maintenance. available lodging during this brief window in
time.
Western Region To Lake Ontario Water from the western portion of the Canal
is used for purposes other than recreational
MEDINA
boating - most notably for agriculture. For
example, Orleans County, which is bisected
LOCKPORT
GENESEE RIVER by the Canal, boasts a robust agricultural
economy: it has the second-highest annual
BROCKPORT
ROCHESTER revenue from vegetable production and the
FAIRPORT third highest from fruit production in the
TONAWANDA State. This high-value crop production is in
To Syracuse
part driven by fertile soils and temperature
moderation by Lake Ontario, but it is also
PITTSFORD
To influenced by the ability to irrigate via the
Buffalo
and
Lake
Erie
THE CENTRAL
REGION
The Central region presents some of the most rerouted north to its current location to take
promising opportunities to expand tourism advantage of and utilize existing waterbodies
along the Erie Canal. It is home to some of the such as Oneida Lake and the Clyde River. 1
busiest locks on the entire NYS Barge Canal
system, thanks to recreational traffic moving The construction of the Canal in the 20th
seasonally between the Finger Lakes, Oneida century impacted the region’s ecosystem in
Lake, and Lake Ontario. The Finger Lakes, several ways. Wetlands were partially drained,
including Cayuga and Seneca, already attract including those associated today with the
tourists with their breweries, distilleries, and Montezuma Wildlife Refuge complex, a crucial
vineyards, and serve as a hub for localized stopover point for more than one million
recreational boating. Syracuse, Ithaca and migratory birds annually along the Atlantic
Seneca Falls, NY many smaller college towns in the area draw in Flyway. In addition, the Canal channelized
tens of thousands of young people during the natural rivers and separated streams from
academic year. their floodplains. Designers of this section
To Lake Ontario
cleverly connected multiple watersheds
While new forms of tourism have proved a for freight passage – never imagining that
Central Region
OSWEGO Oneida Lake boon to local economies, this same area faces this would over time facilitate the spread of
CANAL BREWERTON
ROME substantial ecological challenges - in part aquatic invasive species from the Great Lakes
BALDWINSVILLE
the legacy of moves made to expand the and the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers into New
Erie Canal over time. The Erie Canal’s first York waters, and thus alter the ecosystems
iteration consisted of a channelized canal of the Finger Lakes and other local water
LYONS
To Utica that ran through Syracuse, south of Oneida bodies.
SYRACUSE
Lake. However, the marshy areas north of the
Finger Lakes were poorly suited to the needs
To Rochester of an expanded, industrial-sized canal; as a
result, the Canal in the Central region was 1 Today this region of the NYS Barge Canal also includes
SENECA FALLS
the Oswego Canal, a riverine canal that links the Erie
CAYUGA-SENECA Canal with Lake Ontario via the Oswego River, and the
CANAL Cayuga-Seneca Canal, a riverine canal along the Seneca
River that connects Cayuga and Seneca Lakes to each
other and to the Canal.
N Seneca Lake Cayuga Lake
TASK FORCE FINDINGS | 34
Wetland expansion opportunities confirmed that restoration opportunities exist The findings by the Task Force are follows:
at the Montezuma wetlands and Galen Marsh
(largely achievable by restoring floodways and • Identify specific opportunities for wetland
hydrologic connections) and that the Rome expansion in three key locations:
Sand Plains could potentially be expanded -- At Montezuma, study potential
beyond its current borders. The group also restoration of floodways, flowpaths,
noted the lack of regional coordination and creation of new hydrologic
between state/federal wetland managers connections
and Canal management, highlighting this as -- At Galen Marsh, study potential for
a challenge to overcome in order to facilitate enhancing flows in the Clyde River
future restoration efforts. -- At Rome Sand Plains, identify specific
opportunities for westward expansion
The outcomes of the focus group session of wetlands
and The Nature Conservancy analysis were • Develop preliminary designs and assess
presented to the Task Force subcommittee. cost, economic, environmental, and
Some members initially expressed concerns operational implications associated with
about the potential impact of wetlands restoration and expansion of wetlands in
restoration on property values and recreational targeted areas
navigation, however the subcommittee (and
subsequently the full Task Force) ultimately
reached a consensus that wetland restoration
and expansion has the potential to generate
THE CENTRAL REGION substantial ecological and recreational benefits
without negatively impacting navigation or
Restoring and Expanding Wetlands other stakeholders. It was agreed that the
specific opportunities should be studied
further and that potential environmental
and economic impacts should be rigorously
Wetlands traditionally serve a variety of Today, there are opportunities to enhance evaluated.
ecological functions, including providing and expand these wetlands by coordinating
habitat for many species and storing and their management with that of the Canal and
filtering vast quantities of stagnant or slow- by restoring hydrologic connections between
moving water from naturally-overflowing former wetlands and the waterways that
waterways. The Central region of the Erie once fed them.1 To that end, The Nature
Canal is home to three major wetland Conservancy was commissioned to identify
complexes: the Montezuma wetlands, Galen and assess specific restoration opportunities.
Marsh (known locally as the Marengo Swamp), In addition, David Klein, a wetlands expert
and Rome Sand Plains. While these wetlands from The Nature Conservancy, facilitated
are now largely protected as federal and state a focus group consisting of Department of
lands and conservation areas, their volume and Environmental Conservation regional and
utility was impaired during the Barge Canal’s wildlife management area managers, a United
construction. Channelization of natural rivers States Fish and Wildlife Service reserve
isolated them from their water sources and led manager, Cornell University faculty, a Cornell
to a reduction in the natural water table; new Cooperative Extension representative, and
canal infrastructure, such as locks and dams, two Task Force members (Neil Murphy from
blocked waterways and trapped nutrients SUNY-ESF and Chris Lajewski from the
and silt - the movement of which is critical to Montezuma Audubon Center). The group
wetland health.
1 This idea originated from a short-listed submission in
the Reimagine the Canals competition in 2017 by Maria
Goula and Jamie Vanucchi of Cornell University and Montezuma National
Sandi Bastedo of Cornell Cooperative Extension. Wildlife Refuge
THE MOHAWK
REGION
The Mohawk River Valley, reaching from Creek. In places, the Canal is a man-made
Rome in central New York to Waterford on channel that runs parallel to the river, cutting
the Hudson River, includes some of New York the river off from its northern tributaries; in
State’s most disadvantaged communities. Once others it runs within it and manipulates its
home to a thriving industrial manufacturing flows and depth. Construction of the NYS
sector, post-industrialization in the region Barge Canal in 1918 ‘canalized’ (i.e., made into a
has led to significant economic decline. The canal) the eastern section of the River with the
region also suffers from chronic flooding – a help of movable dams and locks; these dams
function of many factors, both natural and permit Mohawk water levels to be increased
man-made – which undermines property during the navigation season (10-12 feet) to
values. Despite these challenges, there are allow for the passage of commercial barges
Bellamy Harbor Park,
Rome, NY
signs of regeneration across the region. and then returned to normal (4-6 feet) in the
Schenectady, Little Falls, and Utica now boast winter. The riverine nature of this section of
new waterfront developments; a number of the Canal presented the Task Force with an
other Mohawk towns and cities have recently unusual set of challenges and opportunities
Oneida Lake Mohawk Region been selected as winners of the Downtown revolving primarily around potential strategies
ROME Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which provides to address flooding.
To Lake Champlain recipients funding towards economic and
community development.
SCHENECTADY
ALBANY Hudson
River
To New York City TASK FORCE FINDINGS | 40
The Ice Jam Panel considered ten potential ice jam flooding is going to occur. Enhancing
interventions and recommended four for this system to better forecast these events
further analysis, noting that more modeling and warn people in advance would be a
work and/or further analysis would need to significant benefit for communities.
be done to determine the specifics of each
intervention as well as their combined impact: The findings by the Task Force are follows:
The Mohawk Region Task Force Subcommittee Members also asked that further work be done
met multiple times to discuss Bergmann’s to consider compromise positions, such as
potential solutions. Some members welcomed reducing the depth of the Canal to maintain
the ability to adapt canal infrastructure to navigation and limiting full or partial draft
tackle flooding issues related to climate change navigation to a shorter navigation season. The
and capture the ecosystem benefits that result Task Force agreed that the existing forecasting
THE MOHAWK REGION Fort Plain, NY, June 2006
from ‘naturalizing’ a river; others were opposed system needs to be improved to allow
To Schenectady
FRANKFORT
SYSTEM-WIDE
PLACEMAKING AND
ACTIVATION
Over the last 50 years, upstate New York has seen a Bellamy Harbor Park,
Rome, NY
SYSTEM-WIDE PLACEMAKING
Much of the Canal System’s infrastructure is to redevelopment in former industrial centers Overnight accommodation options along local businesses.1 For those looking to engage
unique to its place and time, and – like the across the globe – for example, Providence, the spine of the Erie Canal are at present with the Canal’s history, the adaptive reuse
Erie Canal before it - represents the ambition Rhode Island’s WaterFire festival or Central uneven – easy to find in the larger cities and of industrial and commercial buildings as
and prowess of the State’s engineering Scotland’s 150-foot Kelpie sculptures. Like towns, but few and far between in smaller and well as private residences offers considerable
heritage. These include locks, movable the historic bridges found in European more rural locations. Enhancing the supply appeal. Unused canal powerhouses, which
dams, lift bridges, guard gates, reservoirs capitals, the Canal offers the authenticity that Existing conditions Existing conditions of lodging options is one way to amplify once provided hydropower to locks, provide
and more. As part of the Erie Armada, a comes with experiencing historic waterway canalside tourism and expand the economic a particularly robust opportunity for
multi-day festival and Reimagine the Canals infrastructure. benefits visitors bring to canalside towns. accommodation. They are located across
competition winner, Lock 30 near Macedon Extending stays mean more engagement with the Canal System, making them ideal for
Canal Park was transformed into an iconic Task Force Findings: cultural and recreational assets, more traffic to long-distance travelers, and were built in a
overnight destination; this included evening restaurants, and more support for a variety of uniform style, offering a distinct branding and
cruises on the Colonial Belle canal boat to • Invest in “iconic infrastructure” retail businesses – from canal tours to shops to marketing opportunity.
experience a temporary lighting installation, destinations that celebrate the future by sporting outfitters.
demonstrating a new model for after-dark drawing attention to the waterway’s past Task Force Findings:
canal engagement. and attracting local visitors and tourists Numerous paths to expanding these options
can be pursued simultaneously. Glampsites, a • Expand overnight accommodation, such
Iconic and interactive lighting installations combination of “glamour” and “camping,” offer as camping, ‘glamping’ and adaptive reuse
represent one among many ways of unique outdoor camping experiences and can of historic structures for hospitality
celebrating these historic structures, by be established on state land along the Canal
offering programming opportunities for local or Empire State Trail in close proximity to 1 The Erie Armada, a multi-day festival and Reimagine
communities and serving as an attraction for the Canals competition winner, featured glamping
tourists year-round. Lighting projects along tents designed by a Buffalo-based interior designer
and enabled festivalgoers to forgo cars and take full
post-industrial waterways have contributed advantage of the wide range of activities that the Erie
Armada offered.
THE FUTURE
Interactive lighting
installations to connect to
the Empire State Trail
55 | REIMAGINE THE CANALS TASK FORCE FINDINGS | 56
TASK FORCE FINDINGS
serves anonymous barges making their way will new resources – for scientific studies, for
between New York City and the Great Lakes community engagement, and for the physical
markets but now needs to be deployed to interventions that this report has identified.
improve the lives of people in the communities
of upstate New York. This report sets the Adapting the Canal for the next century does
stage for an ambitious reimagining of the not mean walking away from its past. To the
Canal as a local amenity and an attraction for contrary, addressing the challenges of climate
both old and new constituencies – a source of change, invasive species, and water quality
newfound resilience, a pillar of cultural identity, is perhaps the safest way to ensure that this
and an engine of economic development. unique waterway recaptures its historic role as
an economic engine for those who live along
Though the direction of further ‘reimagining’ its path – strengthening local economies,
work is clear, the process of identifying and reducing vulnerability to flooding, protecting
then implementing the specific programs and and reviving ecosystems, and ensuring healthy
interventions that will bring most value to levels of investment across its reach. New
communities will be challenging. Protecting York has always been a national leader in
canalside towns from the ravages of climate progressive and creative thinking: successfully
change will demand new ways of using the ushering in the “third coming” of the iconic
State’s most precious resource – its water – Erie Canal will provide a global example of how
and new ways of operating the infrastructure the past can once again be put towards the
that carries it across the State. Maximizing service of the future.
economic development in communities
abutting the Canal will require new and
different forms of investment than those that
have historically served to maintain the Canal
in its original state.
Eliminating ice jams Ice Jam Mitigation Panel comprised of Ice Jams in the Mohawk
US Geological Service, US Army Corps of River Valley
Engineers, Dr. John Garver (Union College),
Dr. Hung Tao Shen and Dr. Fengbin Huang
(Clarkson University), Canal Corporation,
NYPA
Restoring previously The Nature Conservancy Restoring Tributary and
disconnected tributaries River Connections in the
to the Mohawk River Mohawk Valley
Central Region Preventing the spread of R2 Resource Consultants Erie Canal Aquatic
aquatic invasive species Invasive Deterrent Study
through the Canal System
Western Region Expanding irrigation Dr. Stephen Shaw, SUNY’s College of Expanding Irrigation in
Environmental Science and Forestry Western New York Using
Canal Water
Additionally, SUNY’s Rockefeller Institute of Government report on the community engagement process is available here.