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Erie Canal Neighbors Association
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DIR Return to: Perinton/Fairport Canal Community Discussion
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#Post#: 1593--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tree Blowdown on the Trail at The Oxbow Dam
DIR By: Michael Caswell
Date: July 12, 2021, 7:21 am
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[attachimg=1]
We found this on a Facebook Cycle The Erie Canal Bike Tour site
Note how this tree' roots have spread right across the trail.
It's a pity the shot didn't show the entire stretch of the
damage to the path, but this is pretty serious, and shows the
potential for flooding.
One tree falling and pulling this much earth is exactly why
these trees need to be removed, especially if they are old
Cottonwoods with hollow or soft roots which can actually reach
the inboard slope as they search for water. They'd act like a
pipe and within minutes, a good flow of water would begin to
erode the embankment. Failure of the dam would be virtually
guaranteed.
Look at the size of the UPROOTED tree's "root ball" and
corresponding void in the embankment along this Trail section.
People supporting a Facebook group, that does not think trees
are a danger at all, should take a good hard look at this.
Wow! Unbelievable!
#Post#: 1594--------------------------------------------------
Re: Trees aren't a problem on the trail embankment! Oh! Really?
DIR By: Doug K
Date: July 12, 2021, 10:19 am
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Some may think that the ECNA "makes up" these issues with
"Trees on Dams", not so. You only need to find the people who
share their Erie Canal Trail stories on Social Media.
The picture shown in this post, of that LARGE TREE blowdown, was
recently posted on this website.. an NEW group formed for Erie
Canal Trail Enthusiast:
HTML https://www.facebook.com/groups/749385035808873/
[attachimg=1]
And TREES are not the only issue along the Erie Canal Trail...
animal burrows also are a HAZARD that not only weaken the
embankments, but also pose "unseen" risks for bikers & hikers
along the Empire Trail. This picture was found on the Canalway
Challenge Facebook website, and shows some of those who are
working on their End to End bike & hiking adventures.
But some in our area think that trees and woodchucks "belong" on
the Canal Trail & Embankments... really?
So that NY State can have more injuries or a flood that wipes
away a few hundred lives?
[attachimg=2]
HTML https://www.facebook.com/groups/canalwaychallenge/
#Post#: 1629--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tree Blowdown on the Trail at The Oxbow Dam
DIR By: Michael Caswell
Date: July 18, 2021, 2:15 pm
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There's not a problem with the trees being on the Trailway (or
towpath as I prefer to call it)
Nope! Not one problem. It's all fear mongering to say someone
could have been killed by a falling tree! That is according to
the Stop the Canal Clear-cut Group.
There were enough people on the path today, someone could have
been hurt really badly.
[attachimg=1]
A fairly large tree fell right over the towpath. It must have
done it very quietly, because its right opposite my house on
Erie Crescent, and we never heard a thing.
Maybe the soil is so saturated, it just let the tree topple.
I'll have to go and look at the roots later.
Thankfully, no one was injured, but they were just lucky,
because at least half a dozen branches measure 6" diameter
spread-eagled the path, far enough to reach the water.
[attachimg=2]
As always, the NYS Canal Corporation is on the scene quickly to
clear the debris and keep the trail traffic flowing.
[attachimg=3]
#Post#: 1633--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tree Blowdown on the Trail at The Oxbow Dam
DIR By: Michael Caswell
Date: July 19, 2021, 1:30 pm
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We (me and my dogs) took a walk along the towpath from 31f
southwards to inspect the fallen tree and see exactly what
happened.
[attachimg=1]
It wasn't a branch or several branches, it was the entire tree.
The diameter of the trunk was about 15". It was growing just off
the towpath, by about 10 feet into the undergrowth, right on the
edge of the top of the slope.
The root ball was lifted right out of the embankment, and was
about 6 feet across, it looked about 6' deep, but I couldn't get
that close without chopping some brush out of the way.
From the look of the weeds growing at the canal edge, it was
obvious the branches reached well into the canal as they fell.
[attachimg=2]
The slope of the embankment at this point was extremely steep,
and obviously this has compromised the integrity of the dam even
more.
I noticed there was a wild grape vine growing up the trunk, no
doubt the heavy infestation of the tree's canopy from this,
would have contributed to the trees demise!
I'm surprised a few other trees hadn't come down in the same
area, as there were some that were much taller.
Not far away from this event, I noticed an enormous Cottonwood,
it's base was at least 12 feet diameter, and it must have been
150 feet tall. Many of its branches were dead, and some had
broken off. It is growing right on the dam crest, about 15 feet
in. Its only a short matter of time before this one gives way. I
hate to imagine the size of this monster's root ball!
#Post#: 1634--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tree Blowdown on the Empire Trail at The Oxbow Dam
DIR By: Doug K
Date: July 19, 2021, 9:04 pm
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No Danger Here People...keep moving along please.
Nothing here to see, just another Dead Tree on an Earthen
Embankment, along the Erie Canal.
Looks like some Immediate EMERGENCY Canal Embankment Repairs are
in order, there was an allowance in the new EEIP Guidebook for
this type if work to happen.
And also a Best Practices Guide as well... I wonder if this is
the time to clear a few trees?
Uprooted Earthen Embankment Trees, isn't this what EEIP was all
about in the first place?
And isn't this enough proof for Perinton residents to start
supporting that Embankment Integrity Program?
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