09/22/2025
Notice to Mariners
Erie Canal – Bicentennial Flotillas starts
September 24, 2025
The New York State Canal Corporation, in collaboration with the Buffalo Maritime Center, will host a series of flotillas (boat parades) along the Erie Canal throughout September and October as the state commemorates the 200th anniversary of the completion of the original Erie Canal.
The flotillas will be led by the Buffalo Maritime Center’s Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief, a full-scale replica of the vessel Governor DeWitt Clinton traveled on from Buffalo to New York City in 1825, when the canal opened.
Mariners transiting the Erie Canal while the flotillas are underway should use caution and be prepared for possible locking delays and limited dock space at Canal Corporation facilities.
The full schedule is noted below.
SCHEDULE (Departure and arrival times are estimates) –
#1: Buffalo to Lockport – Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Departure (10:00 am): 44 Prime St. Buffalo, NY 14202 (Canalside)
Arrival (1:30 pm): Tonawanda, NY (Gateway Harbor)
Departure (2:30 pm): Tonawanda, NY (Gateway Harbor)
Arrival (5:30 pm): 80 Canal St. Lockport, NY 14094 (Flight of Five Forebay)
Distance: 30 miles
Number of Locks: Two – Locks E-34/35 (Lockport)
Estimated Travel Time: 8 hours
#2: Rochester to Fairport – Sunday, September 28, 2025
Departure (10:00 am): 280 Exchange Blvd. Rochester, NY 14608 (Corn Hill Landing)
Arrival (12:15 pm): Pittsford, NY (Schoen Place)
Departure (2:15 pm): Pittsford, NY (Schoen Place)
Arrival (3:30 pm): Fairport, NY (Erie Canal at the Box Factory)
Distance: 17 miles
Number of Locks: Two – Lock E-33 (Henrietta) and Lock E-32 (Pittsford)
Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours
#3: Baldwinsville to Syracuse – Saturday, October 4, 2025
Departure (10:00 am): 136 Spensieri Ave. Baldwinsville, NY 13027 (Paper Mill Island)
Arrival (12:00 pm): 106 Lake Dr. Liverpool, NY 13088 (Onondaga Lake State Park)
Distance: 8.5 miles
Number of Locks: One – Lock E-24 (Baldwinsville)
Estimated Travel Time: 2.5 hours
#4: Schenectady to Waterford – Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Departure (9:00 am): 220 Harborside Dr. Schenectady, NY 12305 (Mohawk Harbor)
Arrival (4:00 pm): 1 Tugboat Alley Waterford, NY 12188 (Waterford Harbor)
Distance: 16 miles
Number of Locks: Six – Lock E-7 (Niskayuna) and Locks E-6 through E-2 (Waterford)
Estimated Travel Time: 7 hours
The Canal Corporation urges all users and stakeholders to register to receive updates through the Notice to Mariners notification program by clicking here.
For general news, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or follow the Canal Corporation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
To report an issue or incident along the Canal system, please call the Canal Corporation’s Emergency Call Center at 833-538-1042.
