Near Amsterdam in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Two Problems Solved
Schoharie Crossing
| | State Historic Site | |
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, July 14, 2024
1. Two Problems Solved Marker
Because there is a current on the Erie Canal, a method of diverting the water through the locks when the gates were closed had to be devised to prevent the locks from flooding. Square openings at the head of the locks were developed to channel water down to a culvert that ran between the lock chambers. Movable plates at the openings regulated the flow into the culvert, thus controlling the water level above the locks.
Hauling 250-ton grain barges into the lock chambers without wedging them presented another challenge. In 1880, an experiment was tried at Port Byron Lock No. 52. A turbine was installed at the head of the lock. By using rods and gears, the turbine was connected to spools at the upper inside of each lock chamber. A rope with a steel hook on one end was attached to each spool. When a barge was hooked, the power of the water flowing past the turbine caused the spools to rotate, subsequently pulling the barges into the lock chambers with minimum effort. Similar turbines were quickly installed at every lock on the Erie Canal.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 42° 57.173′ N, 74° 14.302′ W. Marker is near Amsterdam, New York, in Montgomery County. It can be reached
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Mohawk Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Last Improvements (here, next to this marker); Putman's Lock Grocery (within shouting distance of this marker); Lock 28 - Yankee Hill Lock (within shouting distance of this marker); Schoharie Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); Barge Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Canal Culverts (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Johnson, 1749 (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Johnson (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.
Also see . . .
1. Schoharie Crossing (Wikipedia). (Submitted on July 16, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
2. Erie Canal(Wikipedia). (Submitted on July 16, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, July 14, 2024
2. Two Problems Solved beside Last Improvement Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
