Utica to Canajahorie – August 4

Raining hard in the early hours so held off a start until it eased at 9:45am

Plan to run Locks 19 through 14 today (all down) for a total descent of 120’ over 40 miles, may be tight given our late start.  Especially as we are getting into the area that was worst hit by the rain damage in the late spring.

Signs of remediation work everywhere, dredgers old and new

Dredge pipe, tugs and barges

 

Including this old girl, probably dating from his administration

 

Through Locks 19 and 18 and into a biggie Lock 17 (40’ down) complete with a guillotine gate on the lower end

 Just as big looking back

 But not crowded, we were the only taker.

Out, under a bridge and back into the River channel.

 Lock 16 and 15 took the worst hit in the Spring

Here’s lock 15 in June

 Someone sacrificed a van to prevent a 60 foot boat going over the lock wall, the boat was OK but the van was a write off after the water subsided.

Lock 16 at the same time, the water cut a new channel around the lock and washed away a road and several cars

(Not my pictures those last two)

Lock 16 this week

All at normal levels.

One of those quick decision places….

ahead the falls, to the right, under the bridge …..the channel,

More dredging

Another guard gate, this one half open and that half obstructed by a barge load of trees.

Finally through Lock 15 with it’s adjustable water control dam to the right

and after lock 14 onto the wall at Canajahorie.

A bit spartan, but free power and a sturdy floating dock.