#canalsystem

[robertalanclayton]

Los Angeles CA, RA Clayton #canalsystem 

[nypaenergy]

Canal Corporation's Ties to Hydropower Run Deep

This month, we’re zooming in on NYPA’s hydropower goals over the next decade. But did you know the New York State Canal Corporation’s experience in the industry also runs deep?

Renewable power is generated at 27 hydroelectric facilities located along the Canal system—enough to supply power to 54,000 homes. Approximately 9 percent of New York State’s hydroelectric facilities are located on the Canal system, and these facilities produce an estimated 2.3 percent of the state’s hydroelectric power.

Facilities located on the Canal or using Canal-sourced water are owned and operated by utility companies, independent power producers and municipalities. NYPA operates three hydropower generation facilities associated with the New York State Canal system.

The Crescent and Vischer Ferry plants are located on the Erie Canal and the Gregory B. Jarvis Plant is located on the Canal Corporation’s Hinckley Reservoir. Canal leaders work with owners daily providing anticipated flows and especially during severe weather events.

Historically, a lot of early “Mill Towns” on rivers morphed into power generation cities a century later. For example, the hydropower plant at Lock C-2 (Mechanicville) along the Champlain Canal is the oldest hydro plant in the country still operating. The Mechanicville Hydroelectric Station was built in 1897 to supply General Electric facilities in Schenectady and the original generators are still generating electricity today.

As we continue to Reimagine the Canals (one of the Strategic Priorities in VISION2030), the Canal Corporation and NYPA will be engaging with operators along the system to discuss resiliency, aquatic invasive species and potentially the timing of water releases to allow more efficient use of water for power generation. Working together with communities, hydropower generators, and state and federal agencies, we are making the Canals more resilient as they enter their third century of operation.

[nunoxaviermoreira]

St Anne's Ing Lock No 3 by jdathebowler Thanks for 4 Million + views. 848 Taken Leeds Liverpool Canal Leeds West Yorkshire.2 barges passing through the lock. https://flic.kr/p/2hkjsyC

[smoeshaon]

Waterloopbos, canalsystem through Waterloopbos https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Q1SmDBCNC/?igshid=1t9u4ucknot2o

[nunoxaviermoreira]

Swiftcraft Moorings by jdathebowler Thanks for 4 Million + views. Taken Leeds Liverpool Canal Apperley Bridge. Bradford https://flic.kr/p/25bnbGr

[nypaenergy]

#NYPATop10: Reimagine the Canals (#2)

The Reimagine the Canals Competition was a global contest that sought unique ideas to spur economic development along the canal corridor to boost both tourism and recreational spending.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the two winning proposals. The winning ideas included a proposal to build new neighborhoods along the Erie Canal, as well as a multi-day festival that would highlight the canal and New York's booming craft-beverage industry. The competition—first announced in 2017—was sponsored by NYPA and the New York State Canal Corporation, and sought unique ideas to continue to transform the Canal System into an engine of economic activity.

The winning proposals are:

Pocket Neighborhoods: The first winning entry seeks to build pocket neighborhoods along the Erie Canal and Erie Canalway Trail. Homes would surround a common greenspace and have direct access to the canal to respond to the growing preference of millennials, families, and seniors to live in a place that is walkable to shopping, restaurants and other amenities. A pilot project would be built in the Village of Canastota, Madison County, about 25 miles east of Syracuse. The expectation is this project—which would involve a public-private partnership—could be replicated in other communities.

Erie Armada: The second winner seeks to create an Erie Armada, a multi-day festival and boat race centered on breweries creating human-powered boats that could be made from items common to the industry, like barrels, kegs and beer cans. The race would include parties at the start and end of each 15-mile race that would feature music, local food offerings and craft beverages, including beers created specifically for the armada. The first armada is planned to go between Baldwinsville and Phoenix, but other locations are being considered for the future.

[nypaenergy]

That’s a wrap!

October 10th marked the final day of the 2018 recreational boating season, and what a season it was! Not only were boating fees waived the whole summer, but there were a host of other special events happening all summer long.

Locktoberfest celebrations were held at canal towns throughout the system, including Phoenix, Rome, Seneca Falls and Fort Edward (this Saturday, October 13). Markets, art exhibits, music, canal lock demos and beer & wine tastings were just some of the activities to be found at each town.

The Locks District Museum in Lockport was also dedicated this summer, telling the story of the entire Erie Canal, as well as the central importance of the Town of Lockport in this history.

And early on in the season, an art exhibit featuring a giant sun dial was created from canal stones and put on display in Fairport.

All of these seasonal events show how the NYS Canal Corp. is recapturing the allure and importance of the Canal System’s past and making it relevant for the 21st century. Ultimately, we very are proud to bring you the winners of the Reimagine the Canals competition, announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo here. The innovation exhibited by these entries is spectacular, ranging from the dynamic, green Pocket Neighborhoods plan to the multi-day boat race and festival that is included in the Erie Armada plan.

Gil C. Quiniones, New York Power Authority president and CEO said, "The winning ideas were the best of an extremely strong field of candidates. If the creativity displayed in this competition is any indication, the future of the canals is in very good hands."

"The canals have long been a source of inspiration and wonder. The projects that were announced today are poised to make a real difference in how people use and interact with our canals," commented Brian U. Stratton, New York State Canal Corporation director said.

So if you didn’t get to visit the NYS Canal this past season, don’t worry – the future is looking just as amazing as our history.

[nypaenergy]

Our acquisition of the NYS Canal Corporation and New York State Canal System was a monumental moment of 2017, mentioned in our 2017 Year in Review.

Celebrating the bicentennial of the Erie Canal that summer, more than a dozen events saw thousands of visitors celebrating the legacy of one of New York’s greatest treasures.

Learn more about our accomplishments in our 2017 Year in Review.http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/ed6ecfea#/ed6ecfea/1