Hydrology and Environmental Aspects of Erie Canal (1817-99)

By W.B. Langbein

Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2038

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1976


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

THOMAS S. KLEEPE,Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

V. E. McKelvey,Director


Contents
Metric Equivalents, glossary and explanation of hydraulic terms

Abstract

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Primary Decisions

An Ontario Canal or an Erie Canal? Size
Profile
Route Location
Mohawk Valley
Middle (Lake) Division
Western Division
Changes
Dimensions of the canal--optimality
Summary
Sequel
Operating the canal
Lockage
Canal leakage
Diversions of water for power
Water supply to the canal
Reservoirs
Water shortages
Hydraulic inefficiencies, traffic delay
Hydraulic capacity
Hydraulic drag
Canal slope and current
Wedging
Delays at locks
Floods, washouts, and traffic detention
Mohawk River
Cross drainage
Operations, maintenance and repairs
Summary #2
The canal and the environment
Water supply
External effects of canal leakage
Open season for navigation
Floods
Sediment and accelerated corrosion
Water quality
Esthetics and human interest
The canal and ecologic relations
Effects after abandonment
Summary #3
Supportive historical reviews
Hydrologic data and analyses
Hydraulic computations
Measurement of water flow
Feeders, locks, and stream crossings
Canal cross section
New York canals in the 19th century
References

| Erie Canal Library |


HTML by Korrina Wengerd, Brian Lopes and Jeff Brickman
Maintained by
January 1997