BoatUS: Empire State Invites Boaters to Join Seneca Chief on Historic Erie Canal Bicentennial Journey from Buffalo to Waterford, Sept. 24–Oct. 15

4 capstone Bicentennial Flotillas slated for Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Waterford;
TowBoatUS Buffalo and TowBoatUS Oneida Lake join parades

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 19, 2025: Empire State boaters can end their 2025 boating season on a high note by participating in a series of Bicentennial Flotillas across the Erie Canal beginning Wednesday, September 24, in Buffalo. Recently announced by the New York State Canal Corporation, the four waterborne parades are capstones to a summerlong series of special events that celebrated the 200th season of operation for the historic 524-mile waterway.

Timed with the 2025 World Canals Conference, the newly built replica canal boat Seneca Chief will begin its journey and lead the way from Buffalo to Waterford over three weeks. Boaters wishing to join one of the four Erie Canal Bicentennial Flotillas in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse or Waterford can register here. The Canal Corporation advises that space may be limited. Additional information can be found at eriecanalway.org/bicentennial.

“BoatUS is excited to celebrate 200 years of navigation for this working waterway that has become a premier recreational boating destination,” said BoatUS Vice President of Public Affairs Scott Croft. “We’re urging our 38,000 New York members and all Empire State boaters to join one of these historic flotillas.”

BoatUS is a World Canals Conference sponsor. TowBoatUS Buffalo and TowBoatUS Rochester/Oneida Lake, the 24/7 towing service for recreational boaters on the waterway, will be joining the flotillas.

“Our TowBoatUS towing fleet is still towing boats on the canal today,” added Croft. “No mules required.”

Erie Canal Bicentennial Flotillas Schedule (departure and arrival times estimated)

1. Buffalo to Lockport – Wednesday, September 24

Departure: 10 a.m., 44 Prime St., Buffalo (Canalside)

Arrival: 1:30 p.m., Tonawanda (Gateway Harbor)

Departure: 2:30 p.m., Tonawanda (Gateway Harbor)

Arrival: 5:30 p.m.: 80 Canal St., Lockport (Flight of Five forebay)

Distance: 30 miles

Number of locks: 2 – Locks E-34/35 (Lockport)

Estimated travel time: 8 hours

2. Rochester to Fairport – Sunday, September 28

Departure: 10 a.m., 280 Exchange Blvd., Rochester (Corn Hill Landing)

Arrival: 12:15 p.m., Pittsford (Schoen Place)

Departure: 2:15 p.m., Pittsford (Schoen Place)

Arrival: 3:30 p.m., Fairport (Erie Canal at the Box Factory)

Distance: 17 miles

Number of locks: 2 – Lock E-33 (Henrietta) and Lock E-32 (Pittsford)

Estimated travel time: 5 hours

3. Baldwinsville to Syracuse – Saturday, October 4, 2025

Departure: 10 a.m., 136 Spensieri Ave. Baldwinsville (Paper Mill Island)

Arrival: 12 p.m., 106 Lake Dr., Liverpool (Onondaga Lake State Park)

Distance: 8.5 miles

Number of locks: 1 – Lock E-24 (Baldwinsville)

Estimated travel time: 2.5 hours

4. Schenectady to Waterford – Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Departure: 9 a.m., 220 Harborside Dr., Schenectady (Mohawk Harbor)

Arrival: 4 p.m., 1 Tugboat Alley, Waterford (Waterford Harbor)

Distance: 16 miles

Number of locks: 6 – Lock E-7 (Niskayuna) and Locks E-6 through E-2 (Waterford)

Estimated travel time: 7 hours

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