Draining The Canal

To prepare for the heavy rains expected from Tropical Storm Henri, the powers that be decided it would be best to raise the lock dams on the Erie Canal and lower the water level to prevent flooding. Boaters and home owners were warned and today they started draining the canal. This doesn't happen often, so we knew we had to go see what was happening despite the ominous looking storm clouds. We stopped at Lock 8 first, where we could see that the locks was closed and the dams were open with a swift current going downstream. 

The water level was starting to drop and from the looks of the high water line on the shore, it had gone down about 6 feet. I had read that the goal was to temporarily get the level down to almost what it is during the unnavigable winter months.  

Next we went to Lock 9 in Rotterdam Junction and the scene there was much more dynamic. The dams were completely open there also, but the water was really racing! No one would be able to maneuver in this current that Dave said looked to be flowing at about 10 knots.

Docks on shore were high and dry and the water was even lower than at Lock 8. We were surprised to see that there were two boats that had taken refuge in the closed lock. A smart idea, but I bet they will be stuck there for at least several days.

Then once they close the dams and get the water depth back to normal, it will be a challenge for boaters to avoid all the debris that is floating down. This is just a few of the many logs and pieces of wood we saw floating...

As we headed back east towards the darkening skies, the rain began and it has been off and on downpours since then. Now we will wait to see just how much rain we get. We will also go check out the Flight of 5 locks near Waterford, where boats are probably hanging out between the flood gates that are most likely closed, giving them a safe haven.