You’ve heard the warnings for boaters to keep their speed down on Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay…five mph within 600 feet of shore. But the New York State Canal Corporation says this holiday sections of the canal are closed to boaters because of high water levels, excessive currents, heavy debris in the water and navigational aids shoved out of position by heavy rainfall.
Most of this is in Central New York which was hit hard by thunderstorms and even a tornado last week. The Canal Corporation had to close the Erie Canal from Waterford to Oneida Lake, including Little Falls, yesterday. They’ve closed the Oswego canal except for traffic heading south out of the canal at Lock 8…and they’ve closed the Champlain Canal.
Boaters at secure anchorages are advised to leave their boats there until these sections reopen. Don’t put a boat in the water from launch ramps or trailers into the closed sections. Watch the canal website to see when the restrictions are lifted.