An Engineering Marvel in My Own Backyard

I have spent most of my life in the area where the Mohawk River and the Hudson River come together in eastern NY State.  The Mohawk runs east from the middle of the state, while the Hudson originates high in the Adirondacks and runs south to the Atlantic Ocean at New York City. 

There is a major geological obstacle barring the final connection between the Mohawk and the Hudson called Cohoes Falls.  Before the Erie Canal was built, travelers and freight had to be off-loaded and carried by coaches and wagons on land to get past the falls. 

However, during the building of the Erie Canal, very creative and intelligent engineers figured out a way to level the playing field--and the water levels--across the state by building locks.  The canal bypassed Cohoes Falls entirely, and a flight of locks was created that allowed water traffic to descend (or ascend) between the two rivers.

Recently I went on a "backyard adventure" and visited Lock 2 in Waterford, NY.  Here is what I saw....

These are the water gates that hold back the water coming down from upstream.  Notice the difference in water level at the top right and the bottom left corners.

A boat was heading downstream while I was there.  Here it enters the lock.

The upstream water gates are closing.

Water is being released through drains at the bottom of the water gates.

The boat drops down with the draining water to the downstream water level.

The lower gates are opening now....

And the boat heads on down the canal to reach the Hudson River.

When a boat comes upstream, the whole process is reverse. Water is pumped into the lock to raise the water level up to the next section of the waterway.

You too can have a backyard adventure.  Just look around to see what there is to see in your own community.  It does not need to take a lot of time, money, or gasoline to get there.  Don't be afraid to explore!