A narrated look at the operation of the enormous guillotine gate at the Erie Canal’s Lock 17.
I came through Little Falls, with its historic Lock 17, in June 2024. It was the second time I’d been through there — I also came through in August 2021 when I was with Captain Paul. I haven’t yet blogged about this part of my trip in Do It Now, but I will eventually get to it. In the meantime, here’s some drone video footage I shot not long before my departure.
If you don’t want to watch the video but want to learn more about the lock, here’s a transcript of the narration:
Hi! My name is Maria Langer and I’m a mostly solo Great Loop cruiser.
In mid June, 2024, I spent the night in Little Falls, NY, just west of historic Lock 17 on the Erie Canal. On the morning of my departure, I fired up my drone to record the operation of the guillotine lock gate from the east side of the lock as the boat named Perfect Choice went through eastbound.
The video begins as we look into the lock over the big metal gate. Perfect Choice has already descended with the water and is waiting for the lock door to open. This video is currently playing at normal speed, but let’s bump that up to double speed to save you some time.
Lock 17 is significant for several reasons. Completed in 1916, it was considered an engineering marvel. With a 40.5 foot drop or lift, it is the highest lock on the Erie Canal system. But what makes it really special, at least in my mind, is the enormous guillotine style lock gate. Suspended by what looks like giant bicycle chains, the gate is lifted and lowered with the aid of a concrete counterweight. You can see the counterweight descending — remember, this is double speed so it actually moves much slower than this — while the metal gate rises behind a concrete structure connecting the two lock walls. When full, the lock holds 6 million gallons of water and that water really rushes out when the valves are opened! I should mention here that the other end of the lock chamber has standard mitre gates.
The lock is open to the public during operating hours and the locktender welcomes visitors. You can see and hear the lock operation up close; it’s worth taking the time to visit!
As the lock door rises out of the water, water drips off it in a steady cascade, ensuring that anyone on deck will get dripped on when the boat leaves the lock chamber.
This is just one of 57 locks on the historic New York State Canal System. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Trent-Severn Canals when I traveled on them to complete my Great Loop adventure. If you have any questions or comments about this video, please leave them in the comment area here on YouTube. And if you liked this video, you know what to do!
And I want to share a special shout-out to the folks in Perfect Choice, Brian and Ellen, who were kind enough to move their boat at the Little Falls dock so I could squeeze in in front of them for the night. Thanks, folks! I hope we meet again!
