Adirondack Reservoirs: Water for the Erie Canal

Raymond Letterman, Ph.D. will discuss the impact of dams and reservoirs that were constructed in the western Adirondacks to supply water to the Erie Canal at the Erie Canal Museum’s first lunchtime lecture of the year, Thursday, February 20 at 12 p.m. The presentation will take place in the second-floor Weighlock Gallery of the Museum, 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse. Admission is $5 for the general public. There is no charge for Museum members.

In the 19th century the state of New York built many dams, reservoirs, and even feeder canals in the Black River watershed of the western Adirondacks as dry periods in the Canal’s central section became more and more costly. Many of these spots became important recreational attractions, and helped to shape how the Adirondack Park is used (and not used) today. Our speaker will use research findings and images to discuss the history of these structures, and the impact they had and continue to have on a large area of New York State.

Raymond Letterman is retired from Syracuse University, where he taught for 35 years in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He has B.A. and B.S. degrees from Lehigh University, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Northwestern University. He resides in the Syracuse area, and spends summers in the Adirondacks.

Parking for the program is available at meters on the street, in pay lots, and in a limited number of free Museum-designated spots across the street under routes 81 and 690. We hope you will join us for this informative lecture!

The Erie Canal Museum is partially funded by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.