The Oswego River Canal played a colorful and vital role in the settlement of Oswego County, and in the history of our nation. The waterway was a strategic route for carrying supplies, arms and men during the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812. Barges and packet boats traveled continually up and down the river, carrying farm products, commercial goods, and passengers. Fugitive slaves used the waterway as a route north to Canada. Thousands of people had jobs in mills and factories along the canal.
The Oswego River remains a vital link in the New York State Barge Canal System and the waterway provides numerous recreational opportunities for boating, fishing, birding, canoeing and kayaking. Parks, marinas and boat launches provide plenty of public access in our historic canal side communities.
Oswego Canal
Oswego Canal Information Center
149 S. 1st St.
Fulton, NY 13069
Lock Information:
| Lock | Phone (315) | Change in Elevation | Traveling distance (time) between locks |
| Three Rivers Point – Lock 1: 2.0 miles (12 minutes) |
|||
| 1 | 695-2281 | 10.2 feet | Lock 1-2: 9.0 miles (54 min.) |
| 2 | 592-4155 | 17.8 feet | Lock 2-3: 0.6 miles (4 min.) |
| 3 | 592-5349 | 27.0 feet | Lock 3-5: 6.5 miles (39 min.) |
| 5 | 343-5232 | 18.0 feet | Lock 5-6: 3.3 miles (20 min.) |
| 6 | 343-9001 | 20.0 feet | Lock 6-7: 0.7 miles (4 min.) |
| 7 | 343-6304 | 14.5 feet | Lock 7-8: 0.4 miles (2 min.) |
| 8 | 343-0280 | 10.4 feet | Lock 8-Outlet: 1.2 miles (7 min.) |
Facts About the Oswego River:
Length of the River: 23.7 miles
Number of Locks: 7
Depth of Channel: 14 feet (13 feet over lock sills)
Overhead Bridge Clearance: 20 feet, minimum
Speed Limit: 10 mph
Difference in Elevation from Three Rivers Point to Oswego: 118 feet, descending
Traveling Time from Three Rivers Point to Oswego: 6 hours, minimum
Approximate Time Required Traveling through Each Lock: 20-30 minutes
Channel Markers: red buoys on the east side, green on the west
For current permit fees and hours of operation of Oswego Canal locks, contact the New York State Canal Corp.:
1-800-4 CANAL 4 (432-6254)
518-471-4305
www.canals.ny.gov
Boating Safety Tips:
You are required by law to have the following safety equipment on your boat:
- one personal flotation device (life jacket) for each person on board
- fire extinguishers
- a whistle or horn
- navigation lights
- visual distress and anchor lights may also be required
Other safety tips include:
- Know how to swim!
- Never jump into a boat, ride the bow, or overload a boat’s capacity.
- Check the weather forecast.
- Tell someone where you are boating and when you will return.
- Never use alcohol or drugs while boating.
- Take a boating safety course!
More information can be found in “The New York State Boater’s Guide,” available from the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Bureau of Marine and Recreational Vehicles, parks.ny.gov or phone 518-474-0445.
Maps for Canalling the Oswego River
Canalway Water Trail Map from NYS Canals
The following maps were taken out of the Canalling the Oswego River Guide published by the Oswego County Office of Promotion and Tourism:
- Full Oswego River Map
- Clay to Phoenix/Schroeppel – Lock 1
- Phoenix/Schroeppel to Granby – Lock 1
- Granby, Volney & Fulton – Lock 2
- Granby, Volney & Fulton – Locks 2 & 3
- Volney & Minetto – Lock 5
- Minetto to Scriba & Oswego City – Locks 5 & 6
- Oswego City to Lake Ontario – Locks 6, 7 & 8
Marinas & Boat Launches
(Listed in order from the start of the canal to Lake Ontario)
Phoenix Bridgehouse
Lock 1, Henley Park
Phoenix, NY 13135
Phone: 315-695-1308
Dockage, refreshments, small museum
Stop 28 Boat Launch
Co. Rte. 57 South of Owens Rd.
Volney, NY 13069
Canal Park Marina
S. 1st St.
Fulton, NY 13069
Phone: 315-592-2474
Fax: 315-292-3109
Email: bostrander@cityoffulton.com
Indian Point Landing
NYS-481 N.
Fulton, NY 13069
Phone: 315-592-2474
Fax: 315-292-3109
Email: bostrander@cityoffulton.com
Town of Minetto Riverview Park
PO Box 220
Minetto, NY 13113
Phone: 315-343-2383
Fax: 315-342-4421
Website: www.townofminetto.net
Oswego Marina
3 Basin St.
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315-342-0436
Fax: 315-343-0086
Email: oswegomarina@aol.com
Oswego International Marina
19 Lake St.
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315-342-0436
Fax: 315-343-0086
Email: oswegomarina@aol.com
Wright’s Landing Marina
41 Lake St.
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315-342-8186
Fax: 315-342-8236
Email: jcooper@oswegony.org
Website: www.oswegony.org/government/waterfront
