The Schoharie Aqueduct

The Schoharie Aqueduct. Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site. , Frequent flooding of Schoharie Creek at the original crossing of the Erie Canal often backed up traffic for miles and impacted profits. When the canal was enlarged, an aqueduct over the creek was designed in part by renowned engineer John B. Jervis and built by contractor Otis Eddy between 1839 and 1841. Noted at the time as one of the canal’s most consequential improvements, the aqueduct operated from 1845 to 1916. Over the next few decades, structural weaknesses caused one of the 14 arches to collapse, and the Army Corps of Engineers removed four more to prevent the buildup of damaging ice flows in spring. When additional arches collapsed in 1977, attempts were made to stabilize what remained, which held until another arch collapsed in 1998., Historic Appearance of the Aqueduct , Masonry arches spanning an average of 39 feet supported the tow path. Stone piers held the timber trough that carried the water of the Erie Canal over the creek, providing a 40-foot-wide and 7-foot deep boat channel. The trough was removed when the aqueduct stopped service in 1916., Preservation of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct, J. Thomas Ryan, 1980. Association for Preservation Technology International, ( sidebar ) , "This is the first place of danger I have yet observed. The creek is about 30 yards wide at this place, and is crossed by means of ropes stretched across the stream, which ropes are your only security; should they give way, you must inevitably go down the current and pass over a dam immediately below, of several feet perpendicular descent. In times of a freshet it is very dangerous.”, - Notes on a tour through the western part of the state of New York, attributed to Michael H. Jenks, 1829. Library of Congress , The history and skilled stonework of the aqueduct make it a local treasure, but the structure's instability put this essential piece of national heritage at risk. To stabilize what remains, New York State Parks placed an anchor at the end of the easternmost pier in 2023. This anchor, or thrust block, prevents shifting and provides counter pressure outward through the remaining structure. Regrouted masonry stops further damage from the cycle of freezing and thawing water and protections added to the foundation defend against more injury to the base.