The clearance on the "western" Erie Canal is 15.5 feet, if I remember. It is due to fixed bridges between Oneida (?) Lake and the Niagara River. If you can clear that, you can go ANYWHERE on the Great Loop! * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** D C "Mac" Macdonald ** * OKC & Grand Lake (OK) * ** AGLCA (#217) & USPS ** ** USAF & FAA, Retired ** ** Amateur Radio K2GKK ** * Orig - Chautauqa Cnty * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2012 10:59:35 -0700 > From: dennis201@prodigy.net > To: tstehle@waterwayguide.com; ELReib@comcast.net; timjosephphd@gmail.com > CC: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com > Subject: Re: GL: Rideau Canal > > Does anyone know the max height allowed if one takes the Erie Canal route? I > grew up in Buffalo and want to visit old friends and family. > Thanks, > Dennis > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Ted Stehle <tstehle@waterwayguide.com> > To: Elaine Reib <ELReib@comcast.net>; Tim <timjosephphd@gmail.com> > Cc: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com > Sent: Tue, April 3, 2012 10:39:13 AM > Subject: Re: GL: Rideau Canal > > Tim, > > If you take the "traditional" loop" route the height restriction is 19.1 at mile > 300.5 on the Illinois Waterway. > > Ted > > Ted Stehle, Editor > Skipper Bob Publications > www.waterwayguide.com > www.skipperbob.net > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elaine Reib" <ELReib@comcast.net> > To: "Tim" <timjosephphd@gmail.com> > Cc: <great-loop@lists.trawlering.com> > Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 1:17 PM > Subject: Re: GL: Rideau Canal > > >> Hi All: I've read a bunch of stuff, but I'm very uncertain as to the maximum >>height to do the loop, does anyone have the STRAIGHT answer.

Snip:"...The clearance on the "western" Erie Canal is 15.5 feet, if I remember. It is due to fixed bridges between Oneida (?) Lake and the Niagara River. If you can clear that, you can go ANYWHERE on the Great Loop!..." That is the limit. Mac is correct. We spent the 2011 summer cruising the Western Erie Canal and Finger Lakes. I had a boat pole "story board" lashed to bow pulpit as a clearance check. It was taped measured and set at 15' 2" from water level. The 15' 5" bridge restriction was very accurate. Perhaps a little lower 15"3" at the low bridge going into Syracuse Harbour. The Western Erie rarely gets high water because it is not a watershed. I highly recommend the Western Erie, it's a great cruising area. Cruise Safe without Drama but have fun, Joe M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37 MTOA# 3813 AGLCA# 5485 (Platinum Looper) CarolynAnn-N37.blogspot.com Joseph.pica@gmail.com