By Peter.
Inside Lock 11 in Amsterdam, NY, the grind of gears seals us in. Ten kayakers—lined like teal sharks—grip ropes as water drains beneath us. A nervous whisper: “Is it too late to go back?” Then, gates open. We surge into the current, singing: “Low bridge, everybody down… Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal!”
This is On the Canals—New York’s free paddling program celebrating the Erie Canal’s bicentennial (October 26, 2025). Once America’s superhighway, now a 700-mile recreational waterway, the Erie is reborn as a paddler’s paradise.
Why the Erie Canal Mattered (and Still Does)
| Impact | Then (1825–1900) | Now (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | NYC goods to Rochester: 1–2 months → 1–2 weeks | Kayak 363 miles in 3–21 days |
| Economy | Turned NYC into global port; opened Midwest | $400M/year tourism economy |
| Ideas | Spread suffrage, abolition, temperance | Connects 200+ historic towns |
| Engineering | 1st major U.S. public works project | 35 locks, 15 lift bridges, 5 flights |
“It was the internet of the 19th century.” – Brad Utter, NYS Museum
Paddle the Erie: 3 Segments, Endless Stories
1. West: Buffalo → Syracuse (Locks & Lift Bridges)
- Icon: Flight of Five Locks (Lockport) – a 60ft manmade waterfall
- Stop: Genesee Valley Park (Rochester) – Olmsted-designed, 800 acres
- Vibe: Industrial charm, lift bridges rising like drawbridges
2. Central: Syracuse → Little Falls (Food & Museums)
- Must-See: Erie Canal Museum (Syracuse) – in a 1850 weighlock
- Detour: Cayuga-Seneca Canal → Montezuma Wildlife Refuge (migratory birds)
- Eat: Armory Square (Syracuse) – craft beer, farm-to-table
3. East: Little Falls → Albany (Aqueducts & Gilded Age)
- Highlight: Schoharie Crossing – 630ft aqueduct ruins
- Lock Flight: Waterford Flight – bypasses Cohoes Falls
- Finish: Troy (Gilded Age architecture) or Albany (craft spirits)
On the Canals: Free Adventures for All
Launched 2021, now year-round:
- Kayaking (adaptive options)
- Hydrobiking, plein air painting, full-moon owl prowls
- Historical boat cruises
- Haudenosaunee storytelling (honoring displaced nations)
Paddler Stories: History in Motion
| Paddler | Journey | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Comstock (70s) | 21-day solo (2013) | Honored grandfather who worked the canal |
| Two Gals on the Canal | 363 miles in segments | “Lock operators are the soul of the canal” |
| First-timer in Lock 11 | 1 lock, 1 hour | “Coolest thing I’ve ever done” |
Plan Your Paddle
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Google Maps | Zoom in for launches/pull-outs |
| Empire State Trail | Bike alongside (750 miles) |
| Tide & Lock Schedule | Canals.ny.gov |
| Camping | State parks, canalside farms |
| Stay | B&Bs, hotels (e.g., Amsterdam’s castle armory) |
Pro Tip: Paddle east to west for tailwinds. Check wind on Windy.com.
The Erie Today: A Journey, Not Just a Canal
“You can paddle any river… but only here do you get history, mileage, and people.” – Paul Comstock
The Erie isn’t frozen in 1825. It’s alive—with locks that lift you like elevators, towns that welcome you like old friends, and a current that carries 200 years of stories.
Sing it with me: “Low bridge, everybody down…” Now grab a paddle. The canal’s waiting.
#ErieCanal200 #OnTheCanals #PaddleNY
