Last week channel 10 ran a story that came from a question a viewer had; “Where does the canal water go during winter?” I have found that even historians from other parts of the country don’t know that the canal still exists. Most people are amazed that they empty the canal in winter. As the TV report says, it is for mostly  yearly inspections.

The TV report mentions the guard gates that hold back the water of the Genesee River. On the east side of the river is a combination of guard gate and lock with two gates. The picture is one of those gates. Most lock gates open like doors but these ones have a huge iron gate that moves up and down and can block the water from the Genesee. The small building has the operator’s lock controls. Barely visible on the right is a FedEx truck heading west on I-390.

In 2019 these gates/locks had some major maintenance done. They can be seen on Kendrick Road where it crosses I-390. You can even park in a nearby U of R lot and hike or bike on the trail next to the locks.