New York State Canal Corp. announces drone surveys of canal system to begin this week

Surveys will focus on water retaining embankments and select dam structures

The New York State Canal Corp. today announced it will be surveying water retaining embankments and select dam structures along the canal system beginning the week of Dec. 5. The survey work will be completed through drone flights to collect terrain data and photographs of the canal embankments and infrastructure. The information gathered will be used to aid in the planning of upcoming inspections.

Drone flights will be performed in the following areas:

Segment 1 – from Rochester to Macedon

Segment 2 – from Lockport to Ridgeway

Segment 3 – from Ridgeway to Sweden

Segment 4 – from Sweden to Rochester

Segment 5 – from Palmyra to Lyons

Segment 6 – Fulton/Clay Areas

Segment 7 – LaFayette/Sullivan Areas

Segment 8 – Trenton/Minden Areas

Segment 9 – Glen Falls/Fort Edward Areas

A press release said, "The contractors completing the survey work will be wearing high-visibility vests as they operate a drone flying overhead near the canal structures. The Canal Corp. will minimize any disruption to access of the nearby trails.

"This routine work is not associated with the Canal Corp.’s proposed Earthen Embankment Integrity Program."

It is anticipated that this survey process will be completed by June 30, 2023.

More information is available by visiting the Canal Corp.’s website.

The press release added, "The Canal Corp. appreciates the public’s patience while this work is completed."

About the New York State Canal Corp.

New York’s Canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga – Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals form the backbone of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and connect hundreds of unique and historic communities.

The New York State Canal Corp. is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority.