Warning To Navigation

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » May 5th, '11, 14:24

After 19 straight days of rain, the sun has finally come out today. All sorts of records are being shattered here in north-central NYS. We fully expected high water this time of the year from snowmelt, but this is something else.. This past winter this area experienced record snowfall.

And now, the rainy season of April showers has melded with the snowmelt to produce record flooding within the region. Many days we received two or more inches of rain.

Many of the waterways are now over two feet above flood stage. Much of the melting snow from the Adirondack Mountains is flooding the Delta Dam which empties into the Mohawk River which is an integral section of the cross state Erie Canal

Thousands of cabins, summer homes as well as year round dwellings are surrounded by high water. There is a ban on boating of any kind, not only because of farther damage to the homes created by the wakes of boating traffic, but also to prevent boating accident because of excessive debris and logs floating in the lakes and rivers.

In some instances, whole trees whose roots are weakened by soft mud resulting from weeks of rain, have toppled into the rivers and floated into the lakes. Oneida Lake, a link of twenty five miles in length of the Erie Canal has been shut down, as well as the Oneida and Seneca Rivers and the northern end of Cayuga Lake.
The Oswego and Black Rivers have become white water rapids.

What this has caused is a postponement in the opening of the Erie Canal which, in turn, has caused a backlog of yachts trying to get home from southern waters. I have been informed that marinas to the eastern end of the canal are filled to overflowing.

To avoid complications on the northern journey, it would be wise for boaters to google ahead to NYS Canal System for the latest info on the present conditions.

O J

Russell · Post by **Russell** » May 5th, '11, 14:38

I will pass this on to my many northbound canadian friends bound for the canal as we speak.

Good excuse for many snowbirds to hang out in the chesapeake for a few extra weeks and do some cruising.

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » May 5th, '11, 15:01

Hi Russell,

Not that I know of any snow birds who are on a tight schedule,

but should any of your "vos bon amis" have to get home in a hurry, they are probably aware of this route.

I have no idea what the conditions are, but instead of taking the Hudson up to Waterford and then heading west across the Erie Canal, they might look into staying northward on the Hudson and pick up the Champlain Canal and continue northward on Lake Champlain to the St Laurence River near Montreal. Just a scenic diversion. Maybe Duncan or some of our members from Vermont can add to this. This is their neck of the woods.

On second thought, hanging out in the Chesapeake might be the way to go.

Best regards,
O J

Marc Theriault · Post by **Marc Theriault** » May 5th, '11, 15:22

Hi OJ,

I live near the river Richelieu, it's the access from the Lake Champlain, due to major flooding, the canal is close. In fact Parc Canada work to save the canal, they hope that the canal will not collapse. For saving the gates they put tons and tons of rocks at the entrance of the canal.

The flodding is a new record since 150 years.

I received an email from the marina and all is closed and no date is set for the opening.

Marc

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » May 5th, '11, 16:37

Marc and OJ:

In June 2002 I took a powerboat from Whitehall, NY, down to Schuylerville, NY. I had no intention of heading farther south on the Champlain Canal, which was a good thing, because it was closed.

The reason: High water reduced the bridge clearances to the point where most boats could not pass under them.

Without checking with NY Canals, I would suspect that something similar is going on right now.

Bonne chance, mes amis,

--Joe

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » May 5th, '11, 17:37

Marc Theriault wrote:...I live near the river Richelieu, it's the access from the Lake Champlain, due to major flooding, the canal is close. In fact Parc Canada work to save the canal, they hope that the canal will not collapse. For saving the gates they put tons and tons of rocks at the entrance of the canal...

I think you must be talking about the Chambly Canal at St. Jean, on the Richelieu River?

It would be terrible to lose that Canal.

Oswego John wrote:... they might look into staying northward on the Hudson and pick up the Champlain Canal and continue northward on Lake Champlain to the St Laurence River near Montreal. Just a scenic diversion. Maybe Duncan or some of our members from Vermont can add to this. This is their neck of the woods...

I've done this circuit twice, and it's a beautiful route. It's a lot longer than cutting accross via the Erie Canal, though, if your destination is the Great Lakes.

That would be why they built the Erie Canal in the first place, I guess

Russell · Post by **Russell** » May 5th, '11, 18:04

This thread reminded me of a story a few years back on This American Life (public radio show I am sure many of you know). It was a story about the Erie canal and keeping it funded, but they decided to do the story in song, I just now decided to google and see if it was available on the web, and it sure was.

http://podcast.thisamericanlife.org/spe ... y_song.mp3

Its fun, dorky and a bit catchy, you might end up like me and get it stuck in your head each time someone mentions the Erie Canal.

John Danicic · Post by **John Danicic** » May 5th, '11, 21:02

OJ:

I see that Lake Ontario is currently 37 inches above chart datum. Send some of that water up lake to Lake Superior. We are 9 inches below chart datum. Your excess would just about fill her up.
Great Lakes Water Levels

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » May 5th, '11, 21:55

"Russell,

I have to admit that the song you gave us is really catchy. I replayed it seveal times.

There are many other songs that were written about the Erie Canal (EC) but the song that I think is most famous is "Low Bridge, We;re Comin' Into Town". There are dozens of versions of this.

In the 1800s when the canal was at its busiest, the canal boats were pulled by mules. A good days progress was figured at fifteen miles of travel. A well trained, healthy, strong mule was the key element of a barge tenders ability to earn a hard living. A strong relationship developed between the operator and his mule(s).

Many years ago I heard a fellow named Pete Seeger sing "Low Bridge". Pete often teamed up with Woody Guthrie, Arlo's father, in singing and playing folk songs. Pete was instrumental in organizing and building the Clearwater, a Hudson sloop. The idea was to get people interested in environmental problems concerning the clean-up of the Hudson Basin.

Pete sings and plays Low Bridge on the following You Tube clip. There is also another clip of Low Bridge played by Bruce Springsteen and accompanied by a raggy E Street Band. Give this clip a chance to get rolling and I challenge everyone to not tap your toes while listening.

Goggle "You Tube Low Bridge Pete Seeger"

While it is playing, glance to the right at five o'clock and find Bruce Springsteen live at LONDON.

Enjoy,
O J

Russell · Post by **Russell** » May 5th, '11, 22:06

Oswego John wrote: Many years ago I heard a fellow named Pete Seeger sing "Low Bridge". Pete often teamed up with Woody Guthrie, Arlo's father, in singing and playing folk songs. Pete was instrumental in organizing and building the Clearwater, a Hudson sloop. The idea was to get people interested in environmental problems concerning the clean-up of the Hudson Basin.

You know, I have never heard anyone refer to Woody as "Arlos father", normally its Arlo as "Woodys son". I may be young, but Pete and Woody are both my music.

I know a lot about Petes efforts with the Hudson (being 35 people are often suprised at my knowledge of music and people who predate me yet i cant tell you a thing about the music of my own generation).

I know the Seeger song you you mentioned, but not sure which youtube clip you are talking about, you didnt provide a link. Googling the phrase you suggest brings up several.

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » May 5th, '11, 23:13

Hi Russell,

I've been having trouble with the proper link. When I enter it and click on it, something else comes on screen.

The best I can tell you is to Google:

"You Tube Low Brige Pete Seeger"

Go to the first option on top and click on the picture on the left, of the guy playing the banjo.

While he is playing, look to the lower right at about 5:00 o'clock and you will see Bruce Springsteen Live in "LONDON"

The Boss' cut from London is the better of the renditions. Much better than Belfast, imho.

O J
PS: I think it is time for me to see my little sweety of a computer tutor again for link training.

BTW: anybody know what a Link Trainer is? (No, not the cheerleader)

Russell · Post by **Russell** » May 5th, '11, 23:47

Seeger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxKy1_c6DeM

The Boss (Springsteen) in London:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhHWAyFF ... ature=fvwp

Boss in Belfast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hvomfb1SJ8

I think these are the ones you want to share? Correct me if wrong.

I actually disagree, I think Seegers is far superior then Springsteens! And I am a big fan of Springsteen. Springsteen counts Seeger as a huge influence. Now if the boss got rid of the backup band and did it solo acoustic he would so a lovely version, but give me Seeger any day. Years ago I had a bootleg of Springsteen doing a solo acoustic concert, he didnt do Erie, but it was some of his best that I ever heard.

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » May 6th, '11, 06:52

Oswego John wrote: Pete was instrumental in organizing and building the Clearwater, a Hudson sloop. The idea was to get people interested in environmental problems concerning the clean-up of the Hudson Basin.

By remarkable coincidence, yours truly will be spending next week at a volunteer on Clearwater, teaching sailing and environment to NYC school kids. It's hands on and on the river, with two sails a day from the 79th Street Boat Basin. http://www.clearwater.org

All very practical stuff, like how on earth can 20 4th-graders weighing 50 lbs each raise a 3,000 lb main sail? (Hint: Note the length of the main halyard compared to the height of the mast, not to mention all those blocks!!!)

Email me if you're in NY with a chance for a drink after dinner!

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » May 6th, '11, 07:51

I think this is a photo of the Clearwater (by the Tappan Zee bridge?), on my first trip up the Hudson, in 2005.

I didn't know what ship she was until this day, thanks!

Nice to see mentions of Pete Seeger. I have a few tapes of his and Woody Guthrie's, from years ago.

ps. Way to go, Neil, hope the kids have a grand time!

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » May 6th, '11, 09:05

Russell wrote:I may be young, but Pete and Woody are both my music. I know a lot about Petes efforts with the Hudson (being 35 people are often suprised at my knowledge of music and people who predate me yet i cant tell you a thing about the music of my own generation).

Yikes Russell, I remember Seeger and Guthrie, and I even remember "Low Bridge, Everybody Down...," a song about the Erie Canal, from a Burle Ives record that my parents bought for me as a little kid.

Anyway, Neil, have a good time--and watch out for those low bridges, like the GW and Tappan Zee!

--Joe

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