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Cayuga-Seneca Canal

Cayuga-Seneca Canal
Navigation & Cruising Guide

The Cayuga-Seneca Canal is the shortest of all the canals that make up the New York State Canal System. Beginning at its junction with the Erie Canal at Kipp Island (the Cayuga-Seneca/Erie Canal Junction), located 1.6 SM (1.4 NM) east of Erie Canal Lock E25, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal then runs south to the Cayuga Lake/Seneca Lake Junction then south to Ithaca, NY or you can turn west to Seneca Lake and then south to Watkins Glen, NY.

Navigation Season

The navigation season for the Cayuga-Seneca Canal is, for the most part, different than the rest of the New York State Canal System having typically longer operating hours. From early May through September, lock operating hours are typically from 0700 to 2200 daily. However, shortly after Labor Day until the navigation season closes, these hours are typically restricted to 0700 to 1700 daily. The current season’’s operating schedule can be found in the right sidebar.

Length

The Cayuga-Seneca Canal from the C-S/Erie Canal Junction to the Cayuga Lake/Seneca Lake Junction is 4.2 SM (3.6 NM). Cayuga Lake is 5.8 SM (5.0 NM) while Seneca Lake is 17.3 SM (15.0 NM).

To further break this down, from the first lock CS1 to the last lock CS4 is a total of 8.5 SM (7.4 NM).

From the Cayuga/Seneca Lake Junction:

Complete distance tables can be found at the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Distances Page. The tables are published in Statute Miles, Nautical Miles, and Kilometers. They are available for download.

Aids to Navigation

Red markers are kept to starboard south and west bound from the Erie Canal Junction to both Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake.

NOAA Chart #14786, provides coverage of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal system. The individual charts can be viewed below:

Kipp Island - Seneca Lake - Watkins Glen Kipp Island - Cayuga Lake - Ithaca
14786-11 14786-11
14786-10 14786-10
14786-9 14786-7
14786-8  
14786-7  

You can view each chart by clicking on the "Chart #" above. The chart will open in a new window.

Locks

There are only 4 locks making up the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Lock CS1 thru Lock CS4. Locks CS2 and CS3 are known as “Staircase Locks,” Similar to the Erie Canal’s locks E34 and E35 (both lock chambers share a common lock gate). Simply put, when you depart one lock chamber, you immediately enter another. (See photo of CS2 and CS3 below.)

All Lock chambers are the same; 328 feet long and 45 feet wide and offer lines hanging on the lock wall for your vessel.

Lock Photos
Lock CS1 Locks CS2 & CS3 Lock CS4

A complete listing of the (4) Cayuga-Seneca Canal Locks with distances, lifts, and estimated transit times can be viewed at the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Locks Page. These tables are available for download.

Channel Depths

Project channel depths for the Cayuga-Seneca Canal are 12 feet in the channel and 12 feet over the lock sills.

Bridge Clearances

At normal pool level, minimum overhead clearance is 16’ 0" at bridge S-3 (1.6 SM west of lock CS1). At maximum pool level, minimum overhead clearance is 15’ 3.6" at Guard Gate #4 at lock CS4.

For a complete listing of Cayuga-Seneca Canal bridges, guard gates, and utility crossings along with their clearances, visit the Cayuga-Seneca-Canal Bridge Clearances Page. These tables are available for download.

Communications

All lockmasters maintain a watch on VHF channel 13 (156.650 MHz). Phone numbers of each lock can be found at the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Locks Page.

Speed Limits

The speed limit for the Cayuga-Seneca Canal except in the vicinity of the locks and unless otherwise posted is as follows:

Speeds broken down by each canal segment and provided in MPH, Knots, and KPH can be found on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Distances Page.

Transit Times

As a general guide, the Erie Canal Junction at Kipp Island to Seneca Lake will require about 2.8 hours @ the posted speed limits. A vessel making 10 knots will require 3.0 hours for the same transit.

Distances between major points along the Cayuga-Seneca Canal can be found on our Cayuga-Seneca Canal - Distances Page. The distances table shown is useful in planning your transit through the canal.

Weather

NOAA Weather broadcasts can be found at 162.500 MHz (WX-6 VHF) out of Ithaca, NY (WXN59). This station provides coverage for both Lake Cayuga and Lake Seneca for current and forecasted weather and emergency alerts.

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