Pendleton in Niagara County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Controlling Water in the Erie Canal

Erie Canalway Trail

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 27, 2016

1. Controlling Water in the Erie Canal Marker

Inscription.
Controlling Water in the Erie Canal

Since 1825 it has been necessary to protect the Erie Canal from flooding or low water in the Tonawanda Creek, which has historically been part [of] the canal route. As the canal has evolved since then different structures have been used to manage the water level and maintain navigation between Pendleton and Lockport.
The first of these structures was the Pendleton Guard Lock on the original Erie Canal or "Clinton's Ditch." It was located several miles south of here, near Washington Avenue in Pendleton. Tne Sulfur Springs Guard Lock, the only guard lock on the Enlarged Erie Canal (see main photo), replaced the old Pendleton Guard Lock in 1848. For the next 70 years, the Sulphur Springs Guard Lock controlled the water level in this channel. It was replaced by the current Pendleton Guard Gate (inset photo), located one mile south of here and close to where the Sulphur Springs Guard Lock once stood, when the modern Erie Canal was completed in 1918.

Erie Canalway Trail - Pendleton

Welcome to the Erie Canalway Trail, a multi-use trail for walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and other

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recreational activities. The trail parallels active and historic sections of the legendary Erie Canal spanning 360 miles across New York State from Buffalo to Albany. The Erie Canalway Trail [is] an ideal close-to-home recreational resource and a great long distance bicycling destination. Initiatives between the New York State Canal Corporation, federal and state agencies, non-profit groups, volunteers and local governments have created this great network of trails for public use.

Erected 2015 by Erie Canalway Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 43° 7.948′ N, 78° 43.494′ W. Marker is in Pendleton, New York, in Niagara County. It is on East Canal Road 0.1 miles south of Robinson Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lockport NY 14094, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Buffalo Metropolitan

Erie Canalway Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 27, 2016

2. Erie Canalway Trail

Opposite side of marker.

Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mount Calvary (approx. 1.9 miles away); To Those Who Served (approx. 2.1 miles away); House at 8 Berkley Drive (approx. 2.4 miles away); The "Deep Cut" at Lockport (approx. 2½ miles away); Lockport Locks (approx. 2.7 miles away); History of the Purple Heart Award (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Kandt Home (approx. 2.8 miles away); Welcome to Ida Fritz Park (approx. 2.8 miles away).

Also see . . . New York State Canalway Trail. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 11, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Marker & Parking image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 27, 2016

3. Marker & Parking

Marker at right under the roof. Access to parking is from East Canal Road, off picture to the right. The Erie Canalway Trail is left. Note the stop ahead sign for the trail to cross Robinson Road. The canal is generally north-south in a cut here and is significantly lower than the trail. Robinson Road bridges the canal. Northward, the canal and trail bend northeast to the locks in Lockport.

Pendleton Guard Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 27, 2016

4. Pendleton Guard Gate

North side. Canal is drained for the winter.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 27, 2016

5. Pendleton Guard Gate

South side, holding back water diverted from Tonawanda Creek. The Erie Canalway Trail is on the opposite side of the canal as indicated by the wooden rail fence.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2016, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 1,439 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 27, 2016, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.