The Erie Canal at Amherst

The Erie Canal at Amherst. Erie Canalway Trail - Amherst. During more than 175 years of existence, the Erie Canal has followed more than one path. In some places, two or three generations of Canal infrastructure still exist side by side. When technology, especially mechanized boats, made it possible for the Canal to cross lakes and follow wide rivers, the Canal veered off in new directions. The Canal channel dug in the 19th century, and the old locks constructed before the Civil War, now sit abandoned. "Ports" founded to handle Canal traffic lost their original reason for existence. The ever-increasing size of barges during the 19th century explains why section sof the canal became obsolete. As the need for greater csrgo capacity grew, barges became to broad and deep to navigate the original locks. By the Civil War, canal infrastructure had to be widened or else abandoned. With the aid of larger cranes and dredges, the Canal was maintained and enlargened. Here along Tonawanda Creek, they scoured existing creeks deeper to accommodate canal trafic and increase water flow. Steam shovels took huge bites of earth and rock. Cantilevered cranes, with clamshell buckets that could swing in wide arcs, moved tons of debris, while hydraulic dredges siphoned up silt that had accummulated on the Canal bottom. Market-driven demand plus technologocal innovation resulted in an ever-evolving Canal, three generations of infrastructure and profound changes to the communities that it served. , Tow Path Bridge 170 over Tonawanda Creek at Pendleton, May 1905. , 1817-1825 30 tons; 1830-1850 75 tons; 1850-1862 100 tons; 1862-1899 240 tons; After 1900 450 tones; 1900-1930 1000-3000 tons. , [north side:] Welcome to the Erie Canalway Trail, a multi-use trail for walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and other 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 recreatioal 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. , Enjoying the Canalway Trail: , The Erie Canalway Trail is intended to accommodate a variety of users. It is important to extend courtesy to all trail users and respect their rights. In order to avoid conflicts, trail protocol dictates that bicyclists should yield the right-of-way to all trail users. In addition, please observe the following tips for safe trail use. .Stay to the right except when passing .When stopped, move over to let others pass .Give a clear warning before passing .Keep pets on a short leash , Hours of operation and Other information: , The Trail is Open from Dawn to Dusk. In case of emergency call 911. For more information about the Erie Canalway Trail or the New York State Canal System, Please Call: 1-800-4 Canals 4 or Visit Us Online at: www.canals.ny.gov An on-line interactive map of the Erie Canalway Trail showing services and attractions is available at http://ptny.org/bikecanal/map/