DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Erie Canal Neighbors Association
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: General ECNA Discussion & Information
*****************************************************
#Post#: 2364--------------------------------------------------
An Erie Canal Conversation --
DIR By: Michael Caswell
Date: February 6, 2023, 5:23 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--between a local resident and a Canal Corp employee.
Resident = When do you expect the seeps will actually be fixed
such that the canal can have the water back to normal level with
no concern for the safety of the embankment and the folks who
live below the level of the canal embankments?
NYS Canal Corporation = Thank you for your inquiry into the
status of seeps along the Erie Canal’s earthen embankments from
Fairport to Pittsford and as it relates to water levels.
As you may be aware, the New York State Canal Corporation
recently implemented the Earthen Embankment Integrity Program.
This new program creates a plan for restoring and managing
critical earthen embankment infrastructure along the State’s
canals while maintaining the safety and integrity of water
impounding structures, and preserving community character. The
Program and its associated Guide Book also includes
opportunities for community input, based on thresholds, when
projects are identified and completed.
During the 2022 navigation season (May – October), in a few
areas, the Canal’s water levels were reduced due to concerns
about embankment integrity. By lowering the water level
approximately 12-inches from Macedon to Lockport, the number of
active seeps on the embankments were reduced from over 200 to
fewer than 50 seeps.
We understand that reduced depths present safety concerns for
boaters, limit the amount of water available for agriculture and
fishery and complicate inspections for officials.
The Canal Corporation plans to keep levels reduced again this
season; however, we recognize this action is not a long-term
solution to mitigating seepage, which is why it is imperative
that work under the new Program is completed.
We appreciate your inquiry and concerns, and we want to assure
you that our top priority is the safety of communities
surrounding the canal system. Please refer to
HTML https://www.nyscanalintegrity.org/
for more information and
updates.
#Post#: 2365--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Erie Canal Conversation --
DIR By: Doug K
Date: February 6, 2023, 6:11 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Great post Michael, as it shows just how serious the canal
seepage & integrity issues are along the waterway.
First, this statement...
By lowering the water level approximately 12-inches from Macedon
to Lockport, the number of active seeps on the embankments were
reduced from over 200 to fewer than 50 seeps
So the overwhelming majority of issues with the Erie's
Embankments are located in the top 12" of water level. That's
the narrowest cross-section of the earthen dam, and also the
area that is most at risk from burrowing animals like muskrat &
mink.
And if a breach happens in this area the NYS Canal Corporation
has already stated, and described in great detail, that the
earth dam section will wash away if water starts to flow through
any breach there.
It will start as a trickle, and in no time will create a gap,
150' wide and 12' deep. The flood that will follow would
devastate the surrounding area, with long lasting contamination,
and even longer cleanup needed.
And the second take away... is this statement.
The Canal Corporation plans to keep levels reduced again this
season; however, we recognize this action is not a long-term
solution to mitigating seepage, which is why it is imperative
that work under the new Program is completed.
[size=14pt]READ IT AGAIN: we recognize this action is not a
long-term solution to mitigating seepage, which is why it is
imperative that work under the new Program is completed.
Go read for yourself just how bad a flood would be, it's
described several times in this Embankment Program SEQR filing.
HTML https://www.canals.ny.gov/Earthen_Embankment/FGEIS/NYSCC_EEIP_Final_GEIS_BlackText.pdf
Anyone who cares about the Erie Canal, anyone who wants to see
it here for another 100 years, and Canal Neighbors living below
the waterline should be supporting its much needed repairs.
Obviously the Canal System is one accidental flood away from
closure, and in need of immediate repair.
Why else would NYS take such drastic measures and create an
entire Embankment Integrity Program?
This is what happens when those in charge of the Canal System
can't perform their routine maintenance as expected, they have
to start reducing water depths to stop leaks. Maybe one day it
will have to be empty, to keep NY safe.
And this is what happens when a local social media group rises
up to oppose making the Erie Canal safe for public use, when
social media pressure stops required canal maintenance and when
misinformed people state that trees & shade are more important
than a safe, sustainable Canal system
The message to the Canal Corporation should be entitled:
Fix the Erie Canal BEFORE it kills someone please!
[/size]
#Post#: 2369--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Erie Canal Conversation -- Reduced Water Level for 2023
DIR By: Doug K
Date: February 8, 2023, 6:48 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It's now "official", due to continued issues with seepage &
unsafe Erie Canal embankments, water levels will be reduced
again in 2023
Notice to Mariners
Western Erie Canal and Glens Falls Feeder Canal – Water Levels
February 8, 2023
The New York State Canal Corporation today announced that water
levels this navigation season in the Erie Canal between Lock
E-30 (Macedon) and Locks E-34/35 (Lockport) will be consistent
with levels maintained throughout 2022 – approximately one foot
lower than historic levels.
This is the second year that levels have been reduced as the
Canal Corporation continues to monitor more than 200 known seeps
along the canal’s earthen embankments. Levels may vary slightly
depending on the location. The reduced water levels should not
impact vessels transiting the canal within the navigation
channel but may impact some docks and boat launches.
In addition, water levels in the Glens Falls Feeder Canal will
be consistent with levels maintained throughout 2022 –
approximately two feet lower than historic levels as seeps
continue to be monitored there as well.
Additional adjustments to the water levels, if required, will be
communicated in a timely manner.
The Canal Corporation continuously monitors and inspects these
earthen dams on foot via daily monitoring with our staff, as
well as using advanced technologies like drones and thermal
imaging. To learn more about the Canal Corporation’s Earthen
Embankment Integrity Program, please visit this website.
HTML https://www.nyscanalintegrity.org/
The Canal Corporation urges all users and stakeholders to
register to receive updates through the Notice to Mariners
notification program by clicking here.
HTML https://www.canals.ny.gov/wwwapps/tas/notices/index.aspx
For general news, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or follow the
Canal Corporation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
In case of emergencies, please call the Canal Corporation’s
Emergency Call Center at 833-538-1042.
06:58:23AM 2/8/23
NYS Canal Corporation Notice to Mariners - Notice #1 for 2023
Navigation Season
HTML https://www.canals.ny.gov/wwwapps/tas/notices/ntm.aspx?id=2030
#Post#: 2370--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Erie Canal Conversation -- Reduced Canal Water Levels
& STCC Denial of the Problem
DIR By: Doug K
Date: February 9, 2023, 7:46 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Just for those who are wondering why the 2023 Erie Canal
Navigation Season will ONCE AGAIN have "reduced water levels"
for almost 1/4 of the Main Erie channel... It's because of SEEPS
located just below the waterline, about a foot or two below it.
So by reducing the normal water level, the NYS Canal Corporation
can keep those leaks "dry", and above the reduced waterline.
They have now stated on their website that approximately 75% of
their 200+ known seeps and leaks DO fall into this category,
about 150 leaks/seeps.
HTML https://www.canals.ny.gov/wwwapps/tas/notices/ntm.aspx?id=2030
It is ALSO because a local social media protest group (Facebook)
has been WRONG all along about the current state of the Erie
Canal and Safety of NY. We searched the ECNA Archives and found
these statements from one of their leaders, Ms. Elizabeth Agte,
who complained last year about the lowered water, stating that
it was "just more fear-mongering" by the NY State Canal
Corporation.
She stated last year, when this SAME THING HAPPENED, that
reducing water is just a "ploy" to scare people to accept that
trees need to be removed from Erie Canal Embankments.
Read these two posts below about reduced water levels in 2022
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/the-stop-the-clearcut-argument/they-blame-the-nypa-but-its-their-fault!/
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/the-stop-the-clearcut-argument/finally-she's-got-the-message!/
On May 27, 2022 this is what Ms. Agte wrote:
"CC/NYPA posted a Notice to Mariners on their Facebook page and
their website on May 17th advising that the water levels will be
a foot lower between the lock in Macedon and the locks in
Lockport, as they report to monitoring 200 known seeps. But the
reality is that seeps do not occur along the top of the
embankment, and that of course earthen embankments have always
seeped.
It can be argued that this is further fear mongering or an
abundance of caution."
But if it is truly a risk or concern, then it would seen prudent
that they share these seep locations with local communities.
[attachimg=1]
If you read those two posts you would have seen that the NYS
Canal Corporation DID post extensive maps showing where the
leaks & seeps are located throughout the NYS Canal System.
[attachimg=2]
HTML https://www.nyscanalintegrity.org/program-and-maps
So Ms. Agte notes that some people are accepting the statements
from the Canal Corporation about lower water levels "without
question", and then makes some confusing statement about the
leaks being "above the waterline" so what gives? Seriously? Ms.
Agte really believes the the Canal Corporation spotted seepage
from areas of the embankment that NEVER see any water? Just how
is that possible?
Nope, this is just more PROOF that if Ms. Agte (and her social
media group) says something about the Erie Canal, related to
embankments or embankment safety, it's probably a good bet they
are WRONG! It's just the group's CONTINUED denial of the danger
that unmaintained & degrading Erie Canal Embankment are posing
from NY State, and Erie Canal Neighbors.
And there is nothing new about that... completely missing the
point once again.
[attachimg=3]
Sadly Ms. Agte also wants to IGNORE the issues in her own
backyard, where much of the Perinton & Fairport communities are
under THREAT from two leaks along the canal there. One is on a
3/4 mile long embankment dam that holds back Oxbow Lake. The
other is something called "the GREAT EMBANKMENT"... and maybe
should have the word DAM added to it in the future, once it
get's cleared.
Of course Ms. Agte's house sits way up on a hill, away from the
potential danger, and under NO threat from these canal leaks
that could flood her neighbors & friends. But that hasn't seemed
to matter to her or her group in the past, so she has no reason
to change her denial... does she?
#Post#: 2373--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Erie Canal Conversation -- Permanently Reduced Erie Canal
Waterway
DIR By: Doug K
Date: February 10, 2023, 7:32 am
---------------------------------------------------------
And very predictable here... a local social media group wants to
make this reduced Erie Canal waterway level PERMANENT somehow
thinking that will "save the trees" along the unsafe earthen
embankments.
[attachimg=1]
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/the-stop-the-clearcut-argument/i-had-to-chuckle!/?message=2372
Not sure how anyone could believe that permanently reduced canal
levels would ever work, especially with 100 years of "local
infrastructure" in every canal village that would be affected.
Of course if THAT person was ONLY interested in the walking
trail & "shade", and cared less for what other Canal Systems
users might have to endure, it would all make sense.
Case in point - one Ms. Virginia Borden-Maier, Co-Founder of
Facebook Group - Stop the Canal Clear-cut
#Post#: 2413--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Erie Canal Conversation -- Reduced Water Levels in the
Erie Canal
DIR By: Doug K
Date: March 29, 2023, 8:31 am
---------------------------------------------------------
More Local & State news coverage of the lowered water levels in
the NYS Erie Canal for the 2023 Navigation Season. A quick read
shows that reducing water levels in the Canal System can only
result in the future need to continue this "bandaid fix" with
more than 260 known seeps only growing worse. Eventually the
Erie Canal will turn into nothing more than a series of
"disconnected puddles" with this lower water solution.
HTML https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2023/02/seeps-keep-erie-canal-glens-falls-feeder-canal-levels-lower/
HTML https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/erie-canal-water-levels-maintaining-one-foot-lower-status-this-navigation-season/
And while many boaters & dock owners, who use the NYS Canal
System waterway, are very concerned about this temporary
measure, some Canal Trail Users protesting Erie Canal Embankment
Maintenance are looking at lower water levels as a PERMANENT
SOLUTION for an aging Erie Canal system.
And almost ALL of those folks are in one Fairport Facebook
Group, still intent on ignoring public safety as well as the
safety of canal neighbors.
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/the-stop-the-clearcut-argument/i-had-to-chuckle!/?message=2372
Just an FYI: Many of the animals causing seep issues along the
canal, instinctively make their burrow at water level, from the
inside of the canal.. it's just a fact, published by FEMA, in
their Dam Safety Manuals
And that issue with waterline level seeps has been verified by
the NYS Canal Corporation:
Shane Mahar, Spokesperson for NYS Canal Corporation says, “Last
navigation season in 2022 we made a decision to reduce the water
level by about a foot in that greater Rochester region of the
Erie canal to reduce the pressure off of the embankments and by
doing that temporary reduction we realized that the seeps that
we were monitoring that were wet went from north of 260 to less
than 50…”
This will be the second year in a row that water levels are
reduced as the Canal Corporation continues to monitor those
active seeps in the embankments to prevent any possible
breaches.
“We’re trying to make sure that the canal stays safe, and it
stays operable and that it is here for all of Monroe County all
of NY to enjoy for the next generation as we look to begin the
3rd century of the canal’s operation in 2025,” says Mahar.
According to the Canal Corporation it’s a "short-term solution"
as they continue to monitor any known seeps over the next
several years. These efforts are being done as part of ongoing
‘Earthen Embankment Integrity Program,’ to keep the Erie Canal
safe and ready by the time canal navigation starts up for the
season on May 19, 2023
HTML https://www.nyscanalintegrity.org/
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1