The official word from Canal Corp about the far western Erie Canal.: "Mariners are advised the Erie Canal between the Medina and Holley Guard Gates is temporarily closed to all vessel traffic. Anticipated opening by August 17, 2012." There was an old stone culvert that ran below the canal, and leakage thru the canal bottom turned this into a washout. Originally they though they'd fixed it, but then the true cause was found, and more digging was needed. The old stone pipe was replaced with a modern one, and they are filling up the washout now. That section of canal should be open again by friday. Fred Tug 44

Have the Canal Corp. folks been cleaning out junk from the canal bed where it has been mostly drained? It might be interesting to see pictures of what they have found in the process. Vehicles? Bodies? What? All sorts of stuff is being found in areas of lakes and rivers that have gone dry due to the drought! * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** D C "Mac" Macdonald ** * Grand Lake & OKC - OK * ** AGLCA (#217) & USPS ** * * (no current boat) * * ** USAF & FAA, Retired ** ** Amateur Radio K2GKK ** * * k2gkk@hotmail.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > From: fred@tug44.org > To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com > Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:28:45 -0700 > Subject: Re: GL: ERIE CANAL > > The official word from Canal Corp about the far western Erie Canal.: > > "Mariners are advised the Erie Canal between the Medina and Holley Guard > Gates is temporarily closed to all vessel traffic. Anticipated opening > by August 17, 2012." > > There was an old stone culvert that ran below the canal, and leakage thru > the canal bottom turned this into a washout. Originally they though they'd > fixed it, but then the true cause was found, and more digging was needed. > The old stone pipe was replaced with a modern one, and they are filling up > the washout now. > > That section of canal should be open again by friday. > > Fred > Tug 44