I have to admit to being a bit intimidated as we approached Erie Canal Lock 17 (E-17). With a 40.5 foot lift, it is the highest lock on the Erie system. Not only that, but it was the first “guillotine” style lower lock door that we have encountered. Lately infamous due to the failure of the door’s hoisting mechanisms, boats stacked up on both approaches in late May while a special part was fabricated to replace the one-off historic mechanism. After a number of days, a special crane was brought in from Pennsylvania to lift the door on a scheduled basis to allow for boats to pass.
Fellow Loopers Lisa and Ray Henry on MV Scout sent us the attached photos as we locked through E-17. Not only did the “waterfall” cool me down, but the tiny mussels that cling to the lock walls spit at you the whole way up!
Aisling goes Looping 