Tim,

John Gill wrote:

quote:

1. Chicago River...downtown route the air draft is 17 ft.
2. Calumet Sag Sanitation Canal....19 ft. 1- inch
   endquote:

This data that John has provided is the officially published NOAA data, based on charted pool datum.  However, in and of itself, it's not very enlightening.  You need to know what the data tells you; i.e., how "pool" levels work.  That's how you'll know what it means to you and your boat.

Each pool in the system has a datum associated with it.  The chart tells you what datum measurement system is used and when the measurements were taken.  The datum is the height of the surface of the pool above sea level.  The published chart clearances are all with respect to that pool height datum, and that specific case is referred to as "Normal Pool."  But, "normal pool" is a fictitious thing in real life.  The actual pool height above sea level rises and falls with local environmental conditions.  If there has been a lot of rain, the pool rises.  If there has been a prolonged dry spell, the pool falls.  Pool heights can be affected by canal and lock maintenance operations.  There are many factors that affect pool actuals.

On the CSSC and the Cal Sag canal, normal pool clearances are as John posted.  However, actual pool heights are usually 2' or so less, so in the Cal Sag, you'd have 2' more clearance, or around 21', which should be enough for you.  You might have to jockey to time this, of course.  Early spring rainfall makes that an undesirable time-of-year to plan for that clearance.  Late summer/Labor Day might make more sense.  Days of nasty summer t'storms can raise a ruckus on the river system.  There is no guarantee, but in general, those clearances are conservative.  However, if you do have to wait for the pool to recede, you'll be in Chi-town, which isn't a bad place to have to hang out.

Learn to check the NOAA river system websites for pool heights; they're updated daily.  To use that data effectively, you have to know the "normal pool" datum number from the charts; it's also published in some cruising guides, but the charts are "official."  The web sites will give you the current pool actual height.  Subtract Actual from Normal.  If the result is a positive number, clearance is greater than nominal.  If that result is negative, clearance is less than nominal.

And btw, this logic is true for all of the lock/pool systems you'll encounter on the loop, including the Canadian systems.

And also btw, some of the systems - especially the NYS Canal System canals - have some ability to lower the pool for you if you call ahead.  The process can take from a couple of hours to a full day, so you must plan ahead.  You will not be able to make the Champlain Canal with your air height, but you can get across the Mohawk River and Oswego Canal to Oswego, NY, and cross Lake Ontario into Canada from Oswego to Kingston, ON.  If you wanted to do Montreal, the Rideau Canal and Ottawa, you'd cross from Oswego to Cape Vincent, run downriver to Montreal, and backtrack via the Ottawa River to Ottawa and then the Rideau back to Kingston, ON.  This would involve doing al of the St. Lawrence seaway locks downbound, and then the first two upbound from Montreal to Lac Ste Louis where you pick up the Ottawa River.

And also btw, this list is primarily an audience of trawler types.  There is a group called AGLCA - fee, not free - that exists to support people doing the loop.  If you post your question as a SeaRay owner there, you'll get answers from other SeaRay owners with real experience.  There aren't many who do this cruise in SeaRays, but there are some.

And finally, btw, you can remove radar and other antennae from your SeaRay; and lower that Radar arch if necessary.  Not easy, perhaps, but possible.

Jim

Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436

I just want to add a caution and additional information to Randy's well
written post.  The low fixed rail bridge on the Cal Sag is in the "12 miles
of hell" section of the Illinois River canal system.  There is no place to
stop and wait for water levels to fluctuate to your favor.  So don't enter
the system until it does and you have confidence that the level is stable or
falling. As Randy said enjoy Chi'town, or stay at a Marina close to the
second lock.

Also, any River System that has hydroelectric generation (e.g. Tennessee)
making power or not can effect current and pool levels.  The Hudson River at
the Troy Waterford bridge is affected by rain up stream so be aware of
weather when passing under to gain entrance to the Erie Canal if it is a
tight fit for you.  The Mohawk River portion of the canal also fluctuates as
a result of upstream heavy rains as it is part of the drainage basin.  The
western Erie (west of Oswego is self regulated by spillways so has a much
more reliable clearance minimum.

Joe

M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37

MTOA# 3813

AGLCA# 5485 (Platinum Looper)

CarolynAnn-N37.blogspot.com

Joseph.pica@gmail.com

Correction. Sorry I meant Jim .:-)

Joseph C. Pica
411 Walnut Street, #8227
Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043
Ph 301-904-9122
M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37
MTOA# 3813
AGLCA# 5485 (Platinum Looper)
CarolynAnn-N37.blogspot.com
mailto:Joseph.pica@gmail.com Joseph.pica@gmail.com

I just want to add a caution and additional information to Randy's well
written post.  The low fixed rail bridge on the Cal Sag is in the "12 miles
of hell" section of the Illinois River canal system.  There is no place to
stop and wait for water levels to fluctuate to your favor.  So don't enter
the system until it does and you have confidence that the level is stable or
falling. As Randy said enjoy Chi'town, or stay at a Marina close to the
second lock.

Also, any River System that has hydroelectric generation (e.g. Tennessee)
making power or not can effect current and pool levels.  The Hudson River at
the Troy Waterford bridge is affected by rain up stream so be aware of
weather when passing under to gain entrance to the Erie Canal if it is a
tight fit for you.  The Mohawk River portion of the canal also fluctuates as
a result of upstream heavy rains as it is part of the drainage basin.  The
western Erie (west of Oswego is self regulated by spillways so has a much
more reliable clearance minimum.

Joe

M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37

MTOA# 3813

AGLCA# 5485 (Platinum Looper)

CarolynAnn-N37.blogspot.com

Joseph.pica@gmail.com