Conditions permitting, all portions of the New York State Canal System are scheduled to open Friday, May 15, 2026, for the annual navigation season.
As the Canal Corporation continues to recruit seasonal staff, lock operating hours may differ from previous seasons at various locations.
All mariners are encouraged to read the schedule below carefully. As staff positions are filled, hours will be adjusted and communicated through the Notice to Mariners notification program. There are no tolls or fees for recreational use of the canal system this year.
You can find a Canal System Map here.
The hours of operation for the 2026 season are as follows:
- Standard hours of operation are 8 am to 6 pm daily until October 14, 2026.
The following locks and lift bridges will operate with extended hours from 8 am until 9 pm, through peak navigation season, May 15 through September 9, as follows:
- Lock E-8 (Rotterdam)
- Lock E-23 (Brewerton)
- Lock O-1 (Phoenix)
- Lock O-2 (Fulton)
- Lock O-3 (Fulton)
- Lock O-8 (Oswego)
- Lock E-24 (Baldwinsville)
- Main Street Lift Bridge (Fairport)
- Lock E-32 (Pittsford)
- Lock E-33 (Henrietta)
- Spencerport Lift Bridge
- Adams Basin Lift Bridge
- Park Avenue Lift Bridge (Brockport)
- Main Street Lift Bridge (Brockport)
- Holley Lift Bridge
- Hulberton Lift Bridge
- Ingersoll Street Lift Bridge (Albion)
- Main Street Lift Bridge (Albion)
- Eagle Harbor Lift Bridge
- Knowlesville Lift Bridge
- Medina Lift Bridge
- Middleport Lift Bridge
- Gasport Lift Bridge
- Exchange Street Lift Bridge (Lockport)
- Lock E-34/35 (Lockport)
- Lock CS-1 (Cayuga)
- Lock CS-2/3 (Seneca Falls)
- Lock CS-4 (Waterloo)
Vessels will be admitted through structures if arriving prior to scheduled closing. Vessels arriving at Lock CS-2/3 in Seneca Falls or Lock E-34/35 in Lockport from either direction prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both chambers.
Vessels arriving westbound at Lock E-21 in New London or arriving eastbound at Lock E-22 in Verona prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks.
Recreational vessels arriving southbound at Lock C-4 in Stillwater or arriving northbound at Lock C-3 in Mechanicville prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks.
Vessels arriving at the Waterford Flight from either direction should arrive by 5 pm daily to be admitted through the entire Flight.
Seasonal Employees Sought
The Canal Corporation continues to seek seasonal employees to staff the locks and lift bridges across the canal system. Extending operating hours at the Waterford Flight and Lock E-7 (Niskayuna) for example are contingent on adequate staffing levels.
Those interested in applying for a position should visit the Canal Corporation’s website.
Fight Invasive Species
All canal users are encouraged to learn how they can assist in mitigating the spread of aquatic invasives species to help protect New York’s waters from invasive pests.
For more information on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Steward Program, visit DEC’s website.
The Canal Corporation urges all users and stakeholders to register to receive updates through the Notice to Mariners notification program by clicking here.
Read more about boating in New York State.
New York State Canal System Map provided.
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